PITTSBURGH, PA – November 19, 2025 − Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $725,000 in Gaming Economic Development Tourism money benefiting the 43rd senatorial district.
Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund (GEDTF) grants allow municipalities, authorities, councils of government (COGs), and both non- and for-profit businesses to carry out significant economic development for current and future use. Administered by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (RAAC), these grants provide financial assistance to entities to facilitate economic development projects in Allegheny County.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be announcing funding that supports our schools, our houses of worship, our first responders, and our local nonprofits that make our community so special,” said Senator Costa. “As these dollars make their way into the 43rd senatorial district, I look forward to seeing these wonderful projects come to fruition and benefit all our friends and neighbors.”
Alongside Representative Joe McAndrew, Senator Costa announces the following awards:
Penn 7 Volunteer Fire Company was awarded $117,000 for roof and HVAC replacements.
Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department 2 was awarded $117,000 for a roof replacement and the purchase of a mini pumper for fire suppression.
With Representative Dan Frankel, Senator Costa announces the following awards:
The Neighborhood Academy was awarded $80,000 for the build-out of the neighborhood Academy’s New Learning Resource Center.
The Western PA School for Blind Children was awarded $105,000 for a security camera upgrade, including the purchase and installation of 142 security cameras, dome bubbles, and covers, adaptors, ceiling panels, mounting hardware and system cabling.
Bnai Emunoh Chabad INC was awarded $130,000 for the Murray Avenue Corridor Revitalization Project, including the acquisition and renovation of a vacant former bank.
With Representative Abigail Salisbury, Senator Costa announces the following awards:
BAC Local 9 PA was awarded $100,000 for Bricklayer’s Local 9 Critical Update to PCC Training Facility, including an upgrade to a modern steel suspended scaffolding system, roof modification and replacement.
Familylinks was awarded $75,000 to renovate 8 units for housing to include flooring, kitchens, bathrooms, painting, sidewalks, doors, lighting and new appliances.
The Borough of Churchill was awarded $50,000 for the Churchill Borough Sewer Projects.
With Representative La’Tasha D. Mayes, Senator Costa announces the following awards:
The Promise Center of Homewood was awarded $125,000 for the Promise Center Youth & Community Development Project, including a sensory room, support curriculum, and technology.
Hotel Terrace Hall LLC was awarded $150,000 for upgrades to concrete, doors, windows, outfitting facilities with state-of-the-art amenities for guest comfort.
With Representative Aerion Abney, Senator Costa announces the following awards:
LEVEL: Equity Building was awarded $50,000 for the acquisition of a residential property and its subsequent sale to a first-time homebuyer who will operate a home daycare.
Beltzhoover Consensus Group was awarded $100,000 for the construction of three single-family homes as a part of Chalfont St. Development Phase 1.
The $50.1 billion 2025-26 Pennsylvania Budget secures record-setting investments in education, affordability, community safety, and economic development
HARRISBURG, PA − November 12, 2025 − On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the Senate of Pennsylvania passed the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget.
Upon finalizing the end of an extended negotiation process, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costareleases the following statement:
“Pennsylvania Senate Democrats have long fought for a budget that makes life more affordable for every Pennsylvanian, and I am pleased that we have adopted a budget that delivers on this critical priority. This plan directly addresses many of the challenges facing Pennsylvania’s families: rising costs, expensive care, and inequitably funded education. I am especially proud of the Earned Income Tax Credit, which puts money directly into the pockets of those trying to make ends meet. While this was a lengthy negotiation process, it yielded a responsible deal that positions Pennsylvania as a model for a government that works for working people. This budget not only meets many of our immediate needs of today, but it also makes key investments from which all Pennsylvanians will benefit for many years to come.”
HARRISBURG, PA − October 31, 2025 − Today, Senate Democrats express gratitude to Governor Shapiro for his decision to sign a Declaration of Disaster Emergency and sending $5 million in Commonwealth Funding to Pennsylvania’s network of foodbanks.
Nearly one in eight Pennsylvanians benefits from SNAP, and the Trump administration’s decision to withhold nearly $366 million in monthly payments places an extraordinary strain on Pennsylvania’s food banks and charitable food systems.
“As the Trump Administration engages in another exercise in cruelty by attempting to withhold SNAP dollars, Governor Shapiro has stepped up to ensure that our friends and neighbors have food on the table,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. “My colleagues and I have been receiving a deluge of calls from concerned constituents, fearful that they will not be able to stock their pantries and refrigerators because of the heartless decision of the President and his enablers in the Federal government. We are deeply grateful for the leadership of our Governor to fight for the food and safety of every Pennsylvanian.”
“This is an emergency,” said Senator Art Haywood, the Democratic Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee in the State Senate. “Thank you to Governor Shapiro for stepping up in this disaster. Once again, judges have protected the people of Pennsylvania from this man-made disaster.”
On Tuesday, Senate Democrats announced legislation that would further support Pennsylvania’s food banks with interest accrued from the Rainy Day Fund, introduced as Senate Bill 1080.
HARRISBURG, PA − October 28, 2025 − Today, Senate Democrats held a press event to introduce the Pennsylvania Food Bank and Hunger Relief Grant Program, legislation that will allocate $50 million from the Rainy Day Fund for the Department of Agriculture to send to food banks, an additional $10 million for Meals on Wheels, and another $2 million to cover administrative costs. This program will support 18 food banks and is essential to addressing food insecurity and hunger issues resulting from the Republican’s Federal Government shutdown.
Twenty two members of the Senate Democratic Caucus signed on as co-sponsors to the Pennsylvania Food Bank and Hunger Relief Grant Program, introduced as Senate Bill 1080.
Nearly one in eight Pennsylvanians benefits from SNAP, and the Trump administration’s decision to withhold nearly $366 million in monthly payments places an extraordinary strain on Pennsylvania’s food banks and charitable food systems.
Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus expressed that while the Commonwealth does not have the capacity to replace the roughly $366 million in monthly SNAP benefits Pennsylvanians receive from the federal government, the legislature does have the resources to assist food banks to ensure their shelves remain stocked to respond to increased demand when SNAP benefits cease on November 1, 2025.
“This is an emergency,” said Senator Art Haywood, the Democratic Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee in the State Senate. “SNAP food benefits end Saturday, November 1, should the federal shutdown still be in place. This will crush families and neighbors across Pennsylvania, and these changes will leave people hungry. It’s hard to be in a more outrageous position than to be holding up the food for our neighbors. Denying people food is a violation of their dignity.”
“Food banks are remarkably resilient and efficient. However, we are facing a perfect storm of resource constraints, from unpaid federal workers turning to the charitable food system to essential funding for critical anti-hunger programs being held up in the state budget impasse,” said Julie Bancroft, CEO of Feeding PA. “Now, a potential wave of two million people who won’t be able to access their SNAP benefits will need to rely on food banks. Food banks need relief to be able to serve neighbors as best as possible in this crisis.”
“With the loss of SNAP in November, we are now facing an acute hunger crisis on top of the existing one,” said Shila Ulrich, CEO of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. “We’ve seen a 44% increase in hunger in the last two years, while the cost of food, fuel, and distribution remains high. Every week, we meet more working families – people with jobs – who are choosing between groceries, rent, and medicine. It’s a sustained structural crisis that requires policy stability and bipartisan leadership. Food banks are strong —we’ve been strong and resilient —but we cannot fill the gaps left by prolonged inaction. ”
“If this isn’t a crisis, I don’t know what is,” said Senator Judy Schwank. “To use hunger as a political weapon is unconscionable. One of SNAP’s greatest strengths is that it connects people with fresh, healthy, local food. Farmers benefit from steady sales, and families get nutritious food that helps build bodies and support good lives. Everybody wins. But that won’t happen in November, and the destruction won’t only be felt in Pennsylvania. It will ripple across the entire country.”
“I want to encourage everyone to donate and volunteer at their local food bank. But make no mistake, charitable food pantries cannot fill the demands or the infrastructure that the SNAP program is leaving behind,” said Senator Lindsey Williams. “The feds are counting on our sense of decency not to let people starve while they build a giant golden ballroom at the White House.”
Harrisburg, PA − October 23, 2025 − On Wednesday, October 22, Senator Jay Costa provided an update to Francine Schertzer on the status of the 2025-26 Pennsylvania Budget negotiations, as well as policy priorities for the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus. You can watch the entire interview here:
Harrisburg, PA – October 21, 2025 – Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus issued a statement following more budget delays that were led by Senate Republicans.
“It is deeply frustrating to see Senate Republicans waste more time instead of coming to the table to get a serious, responsible budget passed for the Commonwealth.
“What we got from Senate Republicans today was another exercise in delay tactics. They know the budget they passed today is not serious. It would raise local taxes, force cuts to health services and jobs, and leave school districts with debt that was incurred because of the Senate Republican budget impasse.
“Our state budget is now one hundred and thirteen days past due, and the blame lies squarely on the shoulders of Senate Republicans. We again implore them to work with us, the House, and the Governor to get a budget done that funds our obligations and maintains important education, health, and support services.”
