PITTSBURGH, PA − May 2, 2024 – Today, Senator Jay Costa is proud to announce $300,000 in Parent Pathways Grant funding to benefit the 43rd district.
“Parents seeking undergraduate degrees are balancing a tremendous load, from accomplishing schoolwork to raising children, and I am very proud that we are able to deliver funding to make this journey easier for our parents in college,” said Senator Costa. “I certainly hope that this funding goes a long way in preparing parents to succeed, graduate, and provide well for their families.”
The following organizations in the 43rd district will receive grants:
- Carlow University, $150,000
- Community College of Allegheny County, $150,000
According to the Department of Education,
Parenting students bear significant burdens and need additional support to navigate through their academic program successfully. In December 2022, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services released a policy report (PDF) following consultations with parenting students, postsecondary institution staff, subject matter experts, various state agencies, and community leaders. The Parent Pathways Learning Network (PPLN) concentrated on addressing the necessary support for food, childcare, housing, and financial aid. The results underscored the importance of integrating the firsthand experiences of parenting students into statewide policymaking. Governor Shapiro, in support of these findings, allocated $1.61 million in his 2023-2024 budget to support these students.
A comprehensive list of awardees is accessible on the Department of Education’s website, along with additional information on the grant’s creation and administration.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – Today, Senator Jay Costa is proud to announce $2,310,782 in school safety and mental health money from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency benefitting the 43rd Senatorial District.
“This funding is absolutely crucial to ensuring our students can learn in safe environments and get the care they need right at school,” said Senator Costa. “I am proud to have fought for dollars that deliver care to our young people, and I look forward to continuing the fight for our students, staff, and educators.”
The following public schools in the 43rd district will receive grants:
- Penn Hills School District was awarded $45,000 in FY23-24 Meritorious Award money and $149,414 in FY23-24 Mental Health for a total of $194,414.
- Pittsburgh School District was awarded $45,000 in FY23-24 Meritorious Award dollars, $395,494 in FY23-24 Mental Health Award dollars, and $600,522 in FY23-24 Competitive Award for a total of $1,041,016.
- Riverview School District was awarded $30,000 in FY23-24 Meritorious Award dollars and $111,894 in FY23-24 Competitive Award dollars for a total of $141,894.
- Wilkinsburg Borough SD School District was awarded $30,000 in FY23-24 Meritorious Award dollars and $ 114,007 FY23-24 Mental Health Award dollars for a total of $144,007.
- Woodland Hills School District was awarded $ 45,000 in FY23-24 Meritorious Award dollars and $154,451 in FY23-24 Mental Health Award dollars for a total of $199,451.
- Western PA School for Blind, an approved private school, was awarded $450,000 in FY23-24 Competitive Award dollars for a total of $450,000.
- Environmental Charter School at Frick Park was awarded $70,000 in FY23-24 Mental Health Award dollars for a total of $70,000.
- CS-Hazelwood Charter School was awarded $70,000 in FY23-24 Mental Health Award dollars for a total of $70,000.
A comprehensive list of awardees is accessible on PCCD’s School Safety and Security webpage.
Funds will advance the School Safety and Security Committee’s goal of ensuring that all Pennsylvania students can learn in safe, healthy school environments by helping school entities address basic safety needs and mental health services identified in the Committee’s recently adopted Revised Baseline Criteria Standards.
For more information on the awards announced today, visit PCCD’s School Safety and Security webpage.
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HARRISBURG, PA – March 19, 2024 − Today, members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Arts and Culture Caucus gathered to celebrate “Arts Advocacy Day” along with Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania, a nonprofit advocacy group.
The four co-chairs of the caucus – Senator Jay Costa, Senator Pat Stefano, Representative R. Lee James, and Representative Joe Ciresi – joined advocates to praise the artists who contribute their talents to their communities, and called for continued investments in arts and culture in order to boost local economies, tourism, and downtown revitalization.
“There’s power in numbers and it’s so encouraging to see advocates from all corners of Pennsylvania come to the capitol to shine light on the vast impact of the arts,” said Senator Pat Stefano. “Support for the arts provides an opportunity for economic growth, as the arts touch multiple industries across the commonwealth. An investment in local art is an investment in our local businesses, so funding creative endeavors propels our economy to thrive.”
“I’m honored to add my voice to the chorus of leaders and activists lifting up our artists,” said Senator Jay Costa. “Supporting the arts means supporting our communities, our economies, and our families. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature to continue supporting those advancing arts and culture in Pennsylvania.”
“The arts are an essential part of our lives and the fabrication of our world,” said Rep Ciresi. “We must continue to support our local art organizations, not only for the goodness of our souls but for the economic impact they bring into our society.”
“The Arts inspire,” said Rep. R. Lee James. “The Arts provide cultural knowledge for future generations. The Arts are ageless.”
“PA CultureCheck, our study with Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, highlights the innovation and creativity of Pennsylvania’s cultural organizations and their need for additional support as they face ongoing economic challenges and changing audiences,” says Laurie Zierer, executive Director of PA Humanities.
“Pennsylvania’s vast arts and culture community are facing multiple challenges of increased operational and programming costs, changes in attendance and uncertain revenue streams. Now is the time for increased state support to stabilize creativity, tourism, and arts education across the Commonwealth,” said Mitch Swain, Citizens for the Arts in PA
Footage of today’s presser is accessible here.
More information about the caucus is available at PAArtsCultureCaucus.com.
PITTSBURGH − March 13, 2024 − Today, Governor Josh Shapiro outlined his new Energy Plan, which is intended to cut costs and create jobs.
In response, Democratic Leader Jay Costa releases the following statement:
“I applaud the Governor for restarting a conversation around energy policy in Pennsylvania. Together with stakeholders across the commonwealth, this plan meaningfully addresses three crucial priorities: jobs, the climate crisis, and consumers. I look forward to discussions with our colleagues and industry leaders as we work to implement a strategy that positions us as a national leader in the energy sector.”
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to clean air, water, and energy for every Pennsylvanian here.
HARRISBURG, PA − March 4, 2024 − On February 16, the Alabama Supreme Court issued a ruling that declared embryos “children” under Alabama law, an unprecedented step in narrowing crucial reproductive healthcare access for thousands of women. In response to this action, Democratic Leader Jay Costa releases the following statement:
“Alabama IVF ruling is the latest win in the Republican campaign against bodily autonomy.
“The Republican extremist position on abortion is bigger than abortion – it’s about who can make decisions about women’s bodies. They want to decide whether, when and how you can start a family, that goes from abortion to IVF, and if we aren’t careful – contraceptive care as well.
“Their enforcement of the principle that ‘life begins at conception’ leaves no room for you and your doctor to decide what’s best for you. It’s the basis for every regressive action they’ve taken in recent years.
“In 2020, Senate Republicans and their hardline anti-abortion platform sought to eliminate your right to get a telemedicine medication abortion prescription – essentially banning abortion during the pandemic.
“In 2022, Republicans celebrated the overturn of Roe v Wade, a nearly 50-year precedent that protected your freedom to decide whether to end a pregnancy in the first two trimesters.
“Just two weeks later, Senate Republicans here in Pennsylvania passed a bill that would have amended our state’s constitution to say that you have no rights relating to abortion.
“In 2023, Republicans pushed a case that would revoke the decades long FDA approval of mifepristone – the drug used for miscarriage management and early medication abortion.
“And already in 2024, a Republican-leaning court in Alabama decided that “life” begins at conception and interfered in the ability of families to use in vitro fertilization (IVF).
“This is all the same fight for them. Every single legislative action and court decision they advance is about controlling your body. And they aren’t done.
“We can be sure that they will go after the legal precedents of Comstock and Griswold that allow you to be prescribed and mailed contraceptives.
“When they say now that they oppose the Alabama decision and they support IVF, it’s disingenuous. It is their dogged attacks on abortion that paved the way for that ruling, and it’s what will advance their next attack on your care, your autonomy and the future of your family.”
Read more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to quality affordable healthcare for every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – February 22, 2024 – Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a per curium order, dismissing the appeals in Pa. Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee v PA. Department of State.
This action was initiated by the Democratic members of the Intergovernmental Operations Committee (Senators A. Williams, Hughes, Santarsiero and Costa and later joined by current members Tartaglione and Saval) when Sen. Dush and Republican members of the committee voted to issue a subpoena to gain access to the registration and voting information of more than 9 million voters in the Commonwealth. That suit was joined, in separate actions filed by both the Department of State and concerned voters in a private capacity including Sen. Haywood.
In response, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa issues the following statement:
“I am extremely proud of yesterday’s decision, which will protect the sensitive data of Pennsylvania’s voters, and ensure that the privacy of Pennsylvania’s 9 million voters will be preserved,” said Senator Costa. “The action by my colleagues in the Senate Democratic caucus to go to court ultimately blocked an inappropriate and misguided subpoena issued by the Republican committee chair, Sen. Dush, who sought to obtain the confidential information of Pennsylvania voters and then pass it on to a partisan outside vendor under the guise of conducting a trumped-up election audit. The Supreme Court has ruled that the subpoena is no longer effective and, in the process, has vacated a lower court ruling that would have made it more difficult for voters to assert their constitutional rights to privacy.
“Our Senate Democratic Caucus believes the right to vote in fair and free elections is of critical importance, and we are proud to stand up for all voters in ensuring that their private information is secure, and they have confidence in the integrity of our elections. I look forward to continuing to protect our freedom to choose our leaders, as well as expanding access to the ballot while fiercely protecting our sensitive data.”
The PA Supreme Court dismissed the appeal as moot, but also vacated Judge Leavitt’s order which provided, in part provided that the subpoena could not be challenged until the Senate sought to enforce it. The appeal filed by the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic caucus challenged that notion as important privacy rights as well as a lack of statutory authority to request the information by subpoena required resolution.
Learn more about the Senate Democrats’ commitment to fair and free elections for every Pennsylvanian here.
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