Harrisburg – Dec. 22, 2017 – The state Department of Education has approved $2 million in grant funding to help the Penn Hills School District tackle severe fiscal issues, state Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said today.
Costa, who has been meeting with officials from the district, the state Department of Education, state Rep. Tony DeLuca (D-Penn Hills), parents and others to move special financial help forward, said he was thrilled that the funds have been made available.
“Since the district started experiencing fiscal distress, we have been searching for resources to help them regain strong financial footing,” Costa said. “The funding that was approved for the district will assist at a time of real need.
“I am thrilled that the department took this step, but I realize that our work is not done and that this is simply a step to help protect taxpayers, students, teachers, administrators and all who care about the district’s future.”
The Forest Hills lawmaker said that Penn Hills was eligible for this funding because it was experiencing an exceptional financial situation. He said that he and other policymakers realize that funding streams are only temporary lifelines and that permanent solutions must be pursued.
Costa said he was especially pleased to work with DeLuca, Penn Hills School Board President Erin Vecchio, other members of the board, Superintendent Dr. Nancy J. Hines and interested parents and taxpayers to try and chart a responsible financial course that will help the district.
“We must do more to help Penn Hills address its financial situation and move it toward solid financial footing,” DeLuca said. “Senator Costa and I are committed to examining all state revenue streams to help the district and its taxpayers deal with the extreme financial situation.”
Costa said that he was planning to meet with state education officials again in January to explore other funding options and resources.
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Pittsburgh, December 8, 2017 − At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, the state Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a hearing on Costa’s legislation that would enable families to seek court-ordered addiction treatment for their loved ones.
“As this opioid addiction epidemic worsens, it is imperative that we empower families to help loved ones in the throes of drug addiction to get the treatment they desperately need,” Costa said. “In many cases, this is a matter of life or death.”
The Allegheny County lawmaker has introduced Senate Bill 391, which would enable family members to petition the court to commit for drug addiction treatment someone who is an imminent danger to themselves or others. The proposed court-ordered treatment could only be considered if the addict has overdosed, is a suicide threat, has been unable to adequately care for themselves or is a threat to others.
Under the bill, families would petition the county authority for drug and alcohol programs. If the judge agrees to file a warrant, the person would be examined within two hours to determine what type of treatment is recommended. If medical experts believe treatment should be extended, the person being treated would be entitled to a hearing.
Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh), who chairs the committee, said, “court-approved treatment provides an additional resource for families that have been trying to tackle a very complex situation. We are committed to working with stakeholders to add this tool to the proverbial toolbox without unintended negative consequences, and I commend Senator Costa for the due process legal safeguards in this bill.”
According to a joint University of Pittsburgh/DEA Philadelphia Division analysis, 4,642 Pennsylvanians died from drug abuse in 2016 – a 37 percent increase over the previous year. There were 648 overdose deaths in Allegheny County, 102 in Beaver County, 74 in Butler County, 106 in Washington County, and 174 in Westmoreland County.
Statewide, opioids were identified in 85 percent of drug-related overdose deaths last year.
Tina Flowers and Don Holman provided powerful accounts of how their sons became addicts and died. In describing their frustration with the system and how it thwarted their attempts to get their boys the treatment they needed, both endorsed the Costa legislation and requested that such a court-ordered treatment process have no unnecessary delays.
Speaking to concerns about infringement on civil liberties, both parents noted that the alternative is too often death.
“My son died without his civil liberties being violated,” Holman said.
Dr. Dennis Daley, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry, said, “While addiction is promoted as a ‘family disease,’ family members are seldom asked for their input or engaged in treatment. Promoting awareness of this often-forgotten population, and finding long-term solutions to help support vulnerable families, needs to occur at all levels; individual, societal and in the political spheres.”
Marc Cherna, who serves as deputy director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, called for additional state funding and other resources to help combat the drug epidemic.
Boscola said, “In my view, if we can’t make the tough choices to combat drug addiction, then we are simply resigning ourselves to more of the same – more crime, more addiction, and more loss of life.”.
Joining Boscola and Costa at the Duquesne University hearing were Senators Jim Brewster (D-McKeesport) and Wayne Fontana (D-Brookline).
In addition to Senate committee members, the following took part in the discussion
- Jen Smith, acting secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs;
- Briana Mihok, Senior Policy Strategist, University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics;
- Dennis Daley, PhD, Professor, University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry;
- Tina Flowers and Don Holman, parent advocates;
- Marc Cherna, director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services;
- Mark Sarneso, MS, Director of Central and Western Region, Gaudenzia Inc.
- Stuart Fisk, CRNP, and Dr. Mitchell West, DO, MHA, Allegheny Health Network
- Michael Consuelos, Senior Vice President for Clinical Integration, Hospital & Healthsystem Assoc. of PA;
- Dr. Michael Lynch, Professor of Emergency Medicine, UPMC, and director, Pittsburgh Poison Center;
- Attorney Sara Rose, staff attorney, ACLU of PA; and
- Rosa Davis, executive director, Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery.
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Pittsburgh – December 5, 2017 – Wightman Park, located in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, will be rehabilitated and further developed with a $500,000 grant from the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), according to state Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and state Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny).
“State grant funding for the rehabilitation and development of the park is critical,” Costa said. “The funding will improve the facility and make it more open and accessible for the entire community.”
The grant through DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnership Program will pay for the construction of a comfort station, infiltration pond, wetland, picnic shelter, basketball courts and other recreation amenities.
“Our parks are community assets that deserve state support,” Frankel said. “An improved Wightman Park – with better facilities and state-of-the-art equipment – will help reinforce the quality of life in the area.”
The grant for the development of Wightman Park was one of 266 approved statewide for park and recreational development and conservation. All told, $44 million in park and recreation grants were approved.
“State investment is often the key that unlocks the potential of a park or recreation facility,” Costa said. “Preserving and protecting our natural resources must remain a top priority.”
Frankel said he was pleased that the rehabilitation of Wightman Park drew the state’s attention and that both he and Costa would continue to seek state funds for viable recreation and conservation projects in Allegheny County.
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Pittsburgh, November 14, 2017 — Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Representative Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) announced today that the City of Pittsburgh will receive $500,000 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for a reconstruction project on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh.
“This is a big project in a heavily trafficked part of Pitt’s campus, and I’m glad we were able to secure state funding to help,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. “The final product will be a huge safety and convenience improvement.”
“I applaud the CFA for awarding financing to this project. It’s exactly the kind of project that we all had in mind when we developed the Multimodal Transportation Fund,” said Representative Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny). “This development will enhance travel for everyone in the area – regardless of mode.”
The money from the Multimodal Transportation Fund will assist the reconstruction of Bigelow Boulevard on the lower campus.
The section of Bigelow Boulevard between Fifth and Forbes avenues is the civic center of the Pitt campus and sees regular traffic from students, business people, employees and tourists.
The total project cost is nearly $4,000,000 and will close a gap in the bicycle network, improve pedestrian crossing, and reduce the number of vehicle lanes to calm traffic in the area. The Bigelow Boulevard reconstruction will also include a new transit stop, the largest stop in the University-operate shuttle network.
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Pittsburgh, November 14, 2017 — Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Representative Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny) announced today that the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved $225,000 in funding for the Borough of Wilkinsburg for the rehabilitation of Whitney Park.
“I’m commend the Commonwealth Financing Authority for making a great investment in a community asset,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. “The improvements in access to the park were especially encouraging in this grant application, and I’m glad I could help Wilkinsburg get this project rolling.”
“I want to thank the CFA for choosing to invest in a park in my district,” said Representative Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny). “The local neighborhood association takes care of much of the maintenance in Whitney Park, but this is a major redevelopment that the park needs and I’m proud to have helped fund.”
The park covers 1.6 acres and includes a playground, basketball court and a baseball field.
This grant will fund the first phase of the park rehabilitation: improving the entry of the park and playgrounds. Wilkinsburg’s plan for the park includes three new playground areas, resurfacing the parking area, replacing sidewalks and providing ADA accessible parking and routes through the park.
Phase one will also include new decorative walkways to create a plaza and rain garden.
CFA’s grant of $225,000 is only a portion of the full budget for Phase One, the total cost of which is over $300,000.
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Pittsburgh, November 14, 2017 — The Pennsylvania Senate Democrats’ ACA Mobile Enrollment Tour will make a stop in Pittsburgh on Thursday, December 7.
Constituents can come to enroll in the individual insurance marketplace or Medicare. Enrollment experts will be there to answer any questions and guide users through the process.
WHEN: Thursday, December 7 at 2 pm – 8 pm
WHERE: Forest Hills Fire Company, 2071 Ardmore Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Media is encouraged to attend at any point through the day.
This is just one of the stops that the Enrollment Tour will make throughout the state during the ACA open enrollment window for 2018. Here’s the full list of stops on the tour:
- Thursday, November 16, morning – Cheltenham in Philadelphia
- Thursday, November 16, afternoon – Fox St in Philadelphia
- Tuesday, November 21 – Bridge Street in Philadelphia
- Thursday, November 28 – Bethlehem
- Thursday, November 30, morning – Scranton
- Thursday, November 30, afternoon – Carbondale
- Thursday, December 7 – Pittsburgh
The Senate Democratic Caucus has undertaken this enrollment effort after the announcement that the Trump administration would shorten the enrollment period, eliminate its marketing budget and limit working hours on Sundays.
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