Harrisburg, PA – November 29, 2022 – Today, Senator Jay Costa forcefully opposed the vote on the package of impeachment resolutions that would govern the impeachment trial of District Attorney Larry Krasner on the grounds that carrying the proceedings over from the 2021-22 to the 2023-24 legislative session is unconstitutional.
November 30 marks the end of the 2021-22 Legislative session. The Constitution of the Commonwealth and the prior practice of the body are clear that any business before the Senate that has not been finally completed prior to midnight on November 30, 2022, ceases to exist.
“The package of impeachment resolutions adopted today will not survive tomorrow’s deadline,” said Senator Jay Costa, the Democratic Leader. “The conclusion that the rules resolution survives the expiration of session sine die violates the constitution and establishes a terrible precedent. There is no impeachment exception to the PA Constitution that pending matters carry over from one General Assembly to the next.”
Furthermore, the Articles of Impeachment were adopted by the House of Representatives by a simple resolution of the House. The conclusion that the package of impeachment resolutions survives the expiration of the session sine die violates the constitution and establishes a terrible precedent. That resolution loses all force and effect of law upon the expiration of session sine die on November 30, 2022.
“We cannot ignore that the current majority in the House of Representatives that sent us this impeachment resolution was voted out, and control of the chamber flipped from Republican to Democrat,” continued Senator Costa. “To proceed with this trial would undermine the voice of the people of this commonwealth, who voted just weeks ago to send new representatives to the halls of power.”
Based on the clear constitutional language of Article II, sections 2, 3 and 4, the undisputable conclusion is that the Articles of Impeachment, as well as the package of impeachment resolutions discussed today, expire and cease to have any effect after November 30, 2022.
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November 16, 2022 − Today, Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund (GEDTF) grant recipients. These grants help ensure that municipalities, authorities, councils of government (COGs), non-profit and for-profit businesses can deliver vital economic development for present use as well as future use.
“These recipients play a crucial role in sustaining Allegheny County’s vibrant culture and community, and I am glad to entrust them with this grant funding,” said Senator Costa. “I look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition in the coming months and years, and I hope our friends and neighbors’ quality of life continues to improve.”
The recipients and their projects are as listed:
- $125,000 was awarded to Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments for Oakmont Borough Park Improvements.
- $100,000 was awarded to Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments for Verona Road Reconstruction Projects.
- $75,000 was awarded to Borough of Forest Hills for renovations and upgrades to Westinghouse Lodge Building & surrounding property including safety upgrades.
- $100,000 was awarded to Bridgeway Capital for a Sustainable Redesign of the Parking Lot at 7800 Susquehanna Street, including conduct pre-site development to expand the existing facility.
- $88,750 was awarded to Rodef Shalom Congregation for roof replacements and upgrades.
- $75,000 was awarded to Steel Rivers Council of Governments for a Community Playground Facility and New Municipal Sign.
- $200,000 was awarded to Wilkinsburg Land Bank (WLB) for their Wilkinsburg Land Bank Residential Redevelopment Plan Phase 1 Acquisition of local land.
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Harrisburg, PA − November 15, 2022 − The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today elected its leadership team for the 2023-24 legislative session.
The Senate Democratic Caucus proudly welcomes a new member, Senator Nick Miller of Allentown.
The new and returning members elected the following Caucus Leadership Team:
- Leader – Jay Costa, Jr.
- Caucus Whip – Tina Tartaglione
- Appropriations Committee Chair – Vincent Hughes
- Appropriations Vice Chair – Tim Kearney
- Caucus Chair – Wayne D. Fontana
- Caucus Secretary – Maria Collett
- Administrator – Judy Schwank
“I am honored and humbled to announce that I will be serving as the Leader of the PA Senate Democratic Caucus for the next two years. I’d like to thank my fellow Democratic senators for entrusting me with this responsibility, and I hope to do our caucus proud,” said Senator Jay Costa. “I am excited about the work before us, and I am honored to be leading the Democratic caucus as we continue to deliver for PA’s families. Let’s get it done.”
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Program will help approximately 100 low-income families in Allegheny County make critical home repairs or accessibility accommodations
November 2, 2022 − LAWRENCEVILLE, PA − Today, at the Goodwill of Southwestern PA, Senator Lindsey Williams, Senator Jay Costa, and Representative Sara Innamorato announced the allocation of $2 million to ACTION Housing to be delivered to low-income homeowners in Allegheny County. The grant was awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
Eligible households can receive funding by applying via ACTION Housing to make infrastructure repairs, accessibility accommodations, or weatherize aging homes. Allegheny County in particular has an aging housing stock, with half of homes in Pittsburgh being constructed before 1940. This pilot program, soon to be followed by Whole Home Repairs, is accessible to families at 80% of AMI.
“Everyone deserves a safe home they can afford, and I’m so proud of the work Lindsey Williams has done to fight for working families to stay in their homes,” said Senator Jay Costa. “Senator Williams has been on the front lines of fighting for our families, and this funding will help make sure people stay warm in the winters, dry in the rainstorms, and safe in the homes they own and love.”
“The Allegheny County Rehabilitation Program will do so much more than fix a roof or repair a foundation. It will offer residents a chance to stay in homes that they love and the communities that they helped to build,” said Senator Lindsey Williams. “It will stop properties from becoming abandoned and blighted, which keeps our communities safer. I’m incredibly proud to have worked with my colleagues to secure funding for the program and can’t wait to see the results.”
“This grant will allot crucial dollars to households in the communities I’m proud to represent,” said Representative Sara Innamorato. “My neighbors will be able to implement structural safeguards and related improvements to their homes, thus ensuring the safety and well-being of their families.”
“With our aging housing stock, public health, wellbeing, and economic stability are affected every day by leaking roofs, crumbling foundations, and dangerously inaccessible homes,” said Sharpsburg Mayor Brittany Reno. “This program will help our neighbors make critical repairs to their homes and improve the quality of life here for all of us.”
Kyle Webster of ACTION Housing announced that applications for families to take advantage of this $2 million funding are open at ACTIONHousing.org or via phone at 412-639-9416. Webster also encouraged contractors interested and available to do housing repairs to contact ACTION Housing. Contractors can call 412-281-2102 x 2016.
A livestream of the press conference is available at Facebook.com/senatorjaycosta.
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Pittsburgh, Pa. – November 1, 2022 − Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa announces the award of over $8 million in grants from the state to help fund local projects in the 43rd senatorial district.
“Each and every one of these recipients plays a vital role in delivering a beautiful quality of life to the people who call this district home,” said Senator Costa regarding this funding. “From education to history to environmental protections to tourism, these grants will ensure that all of us can continue to learn, grown, and explore Pittsburgh and Allegheny County for many generations to come. I am proud of the work we did to deliver this funding and look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition as money gets delivered.”
The following projects in the 43rd district will receive grants:
- 1009 Wood Street will receive $750,000 to develop mixed-used and urban agriculture spaces with progressive storm water mitigation elements. The building will include commercial spaces, housing, and a roof top open space for Urban Agriculture CSA.
- Congregation Beth Shalom Rehabilitation and Energy Savings will receive $1,000,000 to repair failing and aging systems, and to install solar panels and energy-efficient LED lighting
- Hazelwood Equity One-Stop Resource Center will receive $500,000 to acquire and renovate the former Church of the Good Shepherd along with an adjoining 2 story Hall to create a community center on the first floor, including a commercial kitchen, and multi-tenant office space on the 2nd floor.
- Hillel Academy Gym will receive $1,000,000 to renovate the combined gymnasium and auditorium, second floor changing rooms, and window upgrades.
- Hunter Building – Wilkinsburg II will receive $1,000,000 to renovate the historical Hunter Building. A community café and gallery space will occupy the first floor with an outdoor terrace.
- Rankin Community Development Film Furnace Phase III will receive $1,000,000 for the construction of a speculative “tech flex building” on the Carrie Furnace site. The building will be a single-story structure of concrete and steel construction.
- Rivers of Steel Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark will receive $1,000,000 to support a comprehensive restoration plan for stabilizing and renovating additional structures within the NHL site, installing visitor-focused safety infrastructure to enhance site accessibility while mitigating safety risks. It will also construct an Operations Building to house the heavy equipment, tools, and materials needed to maintain the site.
- Wilkinsburg Bank Building – 901 Wood Street will receive $1,000,000 to renovate the property for potential commercial and residential uses.
- Yeshiva Schools – Greenfield Campus Rehabilitation 3 will receive $1,000,000 to renovate and rehabilitate an aging former Catholic school Ave and build a state-of-the-art gymnasium with a high school wing above the gymnasium.
Funding for these grants comes from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
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October 26, 2022 – Today, Senator Jay Costa, Senator Wayne Fontana, and Senator Lindsey Williams announce a $46,054,410 PENNVEST Loan for the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) to replace old and failing inlets and catch basins.
“All of us deserve clean, potable water and a system that prevents the pollution of our rivers and streams,” said Senator Costa. “This funding from PENNVEST will allow the PWSA to improve the infrastructure of our storm water systems to ensure that we are keeping debris and refuse out of our waterways. I am proud of this work and look forward to seeing this project come to fruition.”
“Replacing these catch basins and inlets is a major investment in the health of our people, our environment, and our infrastructure,” said Senator Lindsey Williams. “This work will ensure that residents have clean drinking water, keep litter and other debris out of our waterways, and improve the safety of our roads and stormwater infrastructure. By prioritizing these investments from the state level, we’re able to make sure that PWSA is able to make these critical repairs without passing on costs to people who are already facing high utility bills.”
“I’m proud to see PENNVEST continue to make substantial investments in the PWSA to support clean and reliable water systems in Allegheny County,” said Senator Fontana. “Some of our water infrastructure is about 100 years old. These projects address that aging infrastructure to ensure residents always have access to clean drinking water and that our communities are using systems that are efficient and do not waste water.”
Across Pittsburgh, approximately 3,600 inlets and catch basins have collected storm water for nearly 100 years. This system serves nearly one hundred thousand customers whose median household income falls below the statewide median household income. PWSA will replace all inlets and catch basins over the next three years with support from this PENNVEST Funding.
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