PITTSBURGH, PA – May 8, 2024 − Today, Governor Shapiro and DCED Secretary Risk Siger awarded seven projects across Pennsylvania a total of $10.6 Million in PA SITES (Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites) funding in order to develop shovel-ready locations to attract businesses and family-sustaining jobs. Of the seven projects chosen from over one hundred applicants, a project in the 43rd district was selected to receive funding.
PA SITES pilot program funding is being awarded to the following recipient in the 43rd senatorial district:
- Allegheny County – $2,326,733 to the RIDC Southwestern Pennsylvania Growth Fund for continued development of the Carrie Furnace site in Rankin Borough. PA SITES funds will be used for earthwork, utilities, and asphalt paving.
“Pennsylvania is well on its way to becoming a national leader in business and economic development thanks in no small part to the thoughtful and aggressive investments from the Shapiro administration in attracting businesses to our commonwealth,” said Senator Costa. “Allegheny County has a long, proud history of delivering good family-sustaining jobs to our workers, and the Carrie Furnace project is no exception. I will be fighting hard to expand the PA SITES program in this year’s budget to continue the great work of this incredible pilot program.”
Senator Costa has been a longtime supporter of Carrie Furnace. In 2022, Carrie Furnace received $1,000,000 in RACP funding for construction, a $3 million dollar grant, and a $4.5 million dollar loan from the Commonwealth Financing Agency’s (CFA) Business in Our Site (BiOS) program. In 2021, Carrie Furnace received $100,000 in Keystone Historic Preservation Money. The Marcellus Legacy Fund awarded Carrie Furnace $115,000 for improvements to the Carrie Furnace Access Trail and Trailhead in 2019, and in 2016, $313,305 in CFA grant dollars was awarded to evaluate the structure and its existing paint system to assess contaminate levels and develop necessary remediation and rehabilitation plans.
In January, Senator Costa joined Governor Shapiro at Mill 19 in Pittsburgh to champion the Economic Development Plan that includes the PA SITES program.
Find details about the PA SITES pilot program here.
The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus is fighting for good jobs for every Pennsylvanian. Read more about this commitment here.
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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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