Pittsburgh, Pa. − December 3, 2021 − Senator Jay Costa and Representative Dan Frankel today announced the award of $6.6 million in state grant funding for the rebuilding project at the Tree of Life in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh.
The project will transform the site of the worst anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history into a new place of hope, remembrance, and education.
“Rebuilding after this attack means so many things,” said Senator Costa. “This project is for a reimagined space that is healing and welcoming – an honor to the memory of those we lost, and a haven for many years to come. I was proud to support this funding, but also additional resources we allocated this fall from other programs.”
Representative Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) thanked the governor for supporting the vision of the many devoted Pittsburghers who have worked to created a memorial that can uplift our community and contribute to a more peaceful future.
“After the attack on the congregations in the Tree of Life building three years ago, many noted that our community had joined a club that nobody wants to be in: those devastated by hate-driven violence. This funding allows the site of that trauma to become something more — a place of remembrance, healing and education for all.”
“I am pleased to announce these projects will receive the state funding they need to improve or create new community projects and facilities that add to the quality of life for residents in these communities,” Governor Wolf said.
Supported through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), the funding for a multitude of projects statewide will support critical expansion projects, providing opportunities for additional employment training, job creation and community services.
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Pittsburgh, Pa. − December 1, 2021 − Senator Jay Costa today announced the award of nearly $3.5 million for school safety and violence prevention grants in Allegheny County.
“Community organizations are the lifeblood of our region, and they know best the needs we face,” said Senator Costa. “Today’s grants, though they come from the state, will go to organizations and projects that have their finger on the pulse of our community and know best how to face our challenges. I truly believe these awards will prevent acts of gun violence from again striking close to home.”
Today’s grants come from the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Grant Program, a top priority of Pennsylvania Senate Democrats, administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).
The following organizations in Allegheny County will receive grant funding:
- 1Hood Media Academy – $350,000 for a new gun violence prevention campaign to train youth and young adults as media activists with the skills to conduct violence prevention campaigns in their own communities.
- Allegheny County – $1,496,000 to implement and expand the Cure Violence program in communities most impacted by gun violence.
- Carnegie Library of Homestead – $346,820 to support the Youth Development and Restorative Justice Program, where trained counselors and program coordinators mentor at-risk youth to develop conflict-resolution skills to reduce violent crime amongst teens in the community.
- Homewood Community Sports – $50,000 for community sports, mentoring and enrichment to deter youth from gun or group violence.
- Neighborhood Resilience Project – $500,000 to support and expand the Trauma Response Team, which cares for the acute needs of family and friends of homicide victims of gun violence.
- The Kingsley Association – $700,000 to support expansion of its Teen LEAD program – a year-long learning experience for at-risk teens ages 13-19 in East End communities of Pittsburgh to help them to apply life skills learning, build a positive self-image, recognize personal leadership characteristics, and gain part-time employment.
PCCD received 340 unique applications requesting just under $170 million in funding – and these groups are primarily small organizations with honorable missions but small budgets.
- 10 of the awards are going to groups with annual budgets of $25,000 or less;
- 7 of the awards are going to groups with annual budgets of more than $25,000 but less than $75,000;
- 8 of the awards are going to groups with annual budgets of more than $75,000 but less than $250,000;
- 12 of the awards are going to groups with annual budgets of more than $1 million;
- 3 of the awards are going to umbrella organizations on behalf of organizations.
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Pittsburgh, Pa. − November 19, 2021 − Senator Jay Costa today announced the award of more than $1.5 million for projects in the 43rd senatorial district.
“Pennsylvania passed its own infrastructure bill in 2013 with the goal of funding every mode of transportation in the years to come; I’m proud to say it’s done so and that I’ve been able to advocate for projects in our community,” said Senator Costa. “While there are many valuable projects and I wish we could fund all of them, I’m very pleased with those that won awards today – particularly the REMEMBER.REBUILD.RENEW. project for Tree of Life.”
REMEMBER. REBUILD. RENEW., is a comprehensive effort to support the Tree of Life Congregation in creating a safe and sacred space that welcomes all with hope for generations to come.
Awards for the district today are supported by the Multimodal Transportation Fund and Act 13’s Greenways, Trails & Recreation Program.
Greenways, Trails & Recreation Program grants include:
- $75,000 for the Verona Borough Park Improvements and Upgrades
- $75,000 for the Eastmont Park Court Rehabilitation Project
Multimodal Transportation Fund grants are coming to the 43rd district for:
- $143,312 for the 1009 Wood Street Development
- $153,125 for the Churchill Valley Greenway Bridge and Trail Restoration
- $300,000 for Raymond Bodnar Way Improvements
- $150,000 for Oakmont Borough’s Core Business District Streetlight Improvement Program
- $250,000 for the Whitney Avenue Transportation improvements
- $250,000 for a sewer rehabilitation project on Ardmore Boulevard
- And $200,000 for the Tree of Life’s REMEMBER REBUILD RENEW
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Harrisburg, Pa. – November 19, 2021 − In direct opposition to a statement made three weeks ago, Pennsylvania Senate Republicans have hired a third-party firm to conduct its sham election investigation.
In an October 20 article in Penn Capital Star, Senate Republicans made the following statement:
“Contracting with the Legislature is a unique circumstance, but the procedure we are following is consistent with every other contract the Senate engages in,” Jason Thompson, a spokesperson for Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Centre, wrote in an email to the Capital-Star. “We are dedicated to finding the right vendor to do the job efficiently and effectively.”
Although a contract with a vendor won’t happen until the court proceedings end, negotiations are ongoing, Thompson confirmed.
The case will be heard on December 15th and a decision will be rendered at that time on the legality of conducting such an investigation at all. Additionally, the Democratic members of the Senate Intergovernmental Operations were prohibited from participating in the selection of the firm.
“This is a bad faith action by the Senate Republican Caucus,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. “They agreed to wait, and then went ahead with hiring their own firm to carry out this political, unnecessary and costly witch hunt. They’ve unilaterally and prematurely acted to spend more than $250,000 in taxpayer money for this.”
“Furthermore, I find it particularly troubling that they are fast-tracking this Trumpian sideshow the same week that the leader of their caucus announces his gubernatorial ambitions,” Senator Costa continued. “This is not good government; it is bad politics.”
The firm hired by the Republicans, Envoy Sage, will be paid from caucus funds – not institutional dollars, further showing the partisan nature of this “investigation.”
The Senate Democrats intend to take every legal action possible to prevent the unsafe and insecure release of voter records.
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Harrisburg, PA − October 26, 2021 − Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) and Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) have introduced legislation that would expand access to solar power through a local voluntary program, while ensuring adequate ratepayer protection.
Senate Bill 919, which would create the PA Local Solar program, seeks to allow electric utilities to establish subscriber programs, by which customers can choose to purchase 100% local solar energy, rather than the traditional grid mix. The legislation will give residential and business customers the option to participate in an off-site solar program, but does not mandate participation, nor require any state funding.
“The number of customers who would like to purchase solar energy is on the rise,” said Senator Laughlin. “However, those who live in apartment buildings or in a location that is not conducive to solar energy production are currently unable to participate in Pennsylvania’s growing solar economy. There are also many others who wish to participate, but lack the financial resources required for rooftop solar installations.”
“This bill will allow those who truly believe in renewable energy, but live in settings that are not conducive to generating it, to put their money where it will back up their desire for a cleaner grid,” Senator Laughlin said.
“Our bill provides customers with the opportunity to purchase solar energy from local solar projects,” said Senator Costa. “By providing all customers with the opportunity to choose solar power, we expand the reach of renewable energy into our communities, while creating jobs right here in Pennsylvania.”
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Harrisburg – October 20, 2021 – Sen. Costa announced today that $36,277,000 has been awarded to the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority project through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).
“I am very pleased that as we continue talking about infrastructure on the national stage, we are continuing to make the investments to essential infrastructure projects within our own local communities,” Costa said. “Wastewater management and water management as a whole throughout the city is essential to creating a clean and safe environment now and for generations to come.”
The Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority project will use these funds to replace and rehabilitate approximately 22 miles of small diameter wastewater collection lines.
PENNVEST is committed to funding sewer, storm water and drinking water projects across the commonwealth. More information about their mission and work can be found here.
“I will continue to make sure that state infrastructure improvement funds are serving our communities and ensuring clean water, safe roads and bridges, and updated and functional systems across the city,” Costa said.
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