Harrisburg, December 29, 2016 – Senate Democrats today announced committee chairmanships for the upcoming 2017-18 legislative session, set to begin on Jan. 3, 2017.
“Our Senate Democratic committee chairs have the breadth and depth of experience, expertise and institutional knowledge necessary to address issues important to and affecting Pennsylvanians and their families,” Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said. “We recognize the challenges in front of us in the upcoming session and look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate and the House on policy issues and legislation that will move Pennsylvania forward.”
Members assigned as Democratic chairs for standing committees are as follows:
- Aging & Youth – Sen. Art Haywood (Philadelphia/Montgomery)
- Agriculture & Rural Affairs – Sen. Judy Schwank (Berks)
- Appropriations – Sen. Vincent Hughes (Philadelphia/Montgomery)
- Banking & Insurance – Sen. Sharif Street (Philadelphia)
- Communications & Technology – Sen. Art Haywood (Philadelphia/Montgomery)
- Community, Economic & Recreational Development – Sen. Larry Farnese (Philadelphia)
- Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure – Sen. Lisa Boscola (Northampton/Lehigh)
- Education – Sen. Andrew Dinniman (Chester)
- Environmental Resources & Energy – Sen. John Yudichak (Luzerne/Carbon)
- Finance – Sen. John Blake (Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe)
- Game & Fisheries – Sen. Jim Brewster (Allegheny/Westmoreland)
- Intergovernmental Operations – Sen. Anthony Williams (Philadelphia/Delaware)
- Judiciary – Sen. Daylin Leach (Montgomery/Delaware)
- Labor & Industry – Sen. Tina Tartaglione (Philadelphia)
- Law & Justice – Sen. Jim Brewster (Allegheny/Westmoreland)
- Local Government – Sen. John Blake (Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe)
- Public Health & Welfare – Sen. Judy Schwank (Berks)
- Rules & Executive Nominations – Sen. Jay Costa (Allegheny)
- State Government – Sen. Anthony Williams (Philadelphia/Delaware)
- Transportation – Sen. John Sabatina (Philadelphia)
- Urban Affairs and Housing – Sen. Wayne Fontana (Allegheny)
- Veteran’s Affairs and Emergency Preparedness – Sen. Jay Costa (Allegheny)
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Harrisburg – December 21, 2016 – New details regarding the availability of medical marijuana in Pennsylvania were released by the Wolf administration today marking the first major step in the legalization process since the landmark legislation (Act 16) was signed into law, state Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said.
“This is a great step forward and one that many Pennsylvanians and their families have been anxiously awaiting,” Costa said. “While there is still work to be done and months before medical cannabis will be available, knowing the process is moving provides much-needed hope to those waiting for relief for their loved ones.”
During a press conference in Harrisburg, Department of Health Secretary Karen Murphy and Medical Marijuana Program Director John Collins said the application period for growers/processors and dispensaries will open Jan. 17, 2017. They said that this is when application materials will be made available. Applications will be accepted from Feb. 20 through March 20.
The officials said that permits will be offered in a three-phase roll-out. Up to 12 grower/processor permits will be available statewide during the first phase of the application roll-out and up to 27 dispensary permits will be issued. Organizations granted a dispensary permit may open up to three individual locations, which must be approved by the Department of Health.
According to the Department, there are six identified regions where grower/processor and dispensary permits will be granted. Allegheny County, part of Region 5 covering the Southwestern portion of Pennsylvania, will be granted up to two dispensary permits.
As specified in the Medical Marijuana Act, the Department of Health will consider certain criteria when determining where to grant permits: number of patients with serious medical conditions; types of conditions; access to public transportation; and regional population. In addition, health care needs of rural and urban areas as well as those areas with significant economic development needs will be considered.
During Phases two and three of the program, the Department will determine if additional permit applications will be issued. According to program director, the Department is still on target to make medical cannabis available to patients by mid-2018.
Costa said that additional information about the temporary medical marijuana regulations issued earlier this year is available in the Pennsylvania Bulletin at www.pabulletin.com.
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HARRISBURG, December 6, 2016 – Two local projects will benefit from more than $300,000 in state grant funds State Rep. Paul Costa, D-Allegheny and State Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) announced today.
The grants were funded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). The CFA is an independent state agency responsible for administering Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages, including the Multimodal and Act 13 funds.
In West Homestead, the $71,685 grant will be used to replace 1,010 linear feet of sidewalk along the south side of state Route 837 in the borough. Handicapped access ramps will also be installed at two intersections along the route. The project is estimated to cost more than $102,000.
“This funding is crucial for the borough to continue to make necessary improvements to its infrastructure,” Rep. Costa said. “I applaud the officials who worked on these grants for the betterment of our local community.”
The CFA also approved funds to support an environmental assessment and structural inspection of the Carrie Furnace ‘hot metal bridge’ in Swissvale Borough. The $313,305 grant will be used to evaluate the structure and its existing paint system to assess contaminate levels and develop necessary remediation and rehabilitation plans.
“The Carrie Furnace Bridge remains a critical component of our transportation infrastructure in Allegheny County and we remain focused on making improvements to bring it back online,” Sen. Costa said. “These grant funds will allow us to provide necessary maintenance and plan for any future needs to ensure the safety of not only the bridge and those traveling on it, but also the surrounding community and waterways.”
The CFA was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth. The CFA consists of seven board members: four legislative appointees and the secretaries of DCED, the Office of the Budget and Department of Banking.
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CONTACT: Stephany Dugan
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Email: sdugan@pahouse.net
Stacey Witalec
Office of Senator Jay Costa
Phone: 717-877-2997
Email: switalec@pasenate.com
Harrisburg – December 6, 2016 –Grant funds from the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund will be used for a local community improvement project, Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny) announced.
The $350,000 grant awarded to Wilkinsburg Borough will be used for wall restoration and sidewalk improvements.
“For anyone living or traveling along Ardmore Boulevard, they understand well how necessary this project is,” Costa said. “Our communities are vibrant and our residents are very active. These funds allow us to continue investing in our communities and provide for the health and safety of our residents.”
Funds awarded for the project will be used to restore sidewalks that have been closed for nearly two decades along Ardmore Boulevard. Once complete, the restored sidewalks will provide residents with greater and safer access to area neighborhoods. The funding will also assist with efforts to restore the wall on the eastern edge of Ardmore Boulevard at Parkway East, addressing structural and cosmetic defects.
“This project is long overdue,” Gainey said. “Part of the sidewalk has been closed for about 20 years, and other parts are basically unusable. This grant will help improve the quality of life for the residents of Wilkinsburg by rehabilitating its neighborhoods.”
Funds approved for the projects are being distributed from the Multimodal Transportation Fund, which was established as a result of Act 89 – Pennsylvania’s transportation funding plan. The fund is designed to encourage economic development and a safer and more reliable transportation system and established dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
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Harrisburg – November 29, 2016 – Redevelopment of the site at 7800 Susquehanna Street in Homewood will be bolstered by $1 million in state grant funds, state Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Representative Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny) announced today.
The $1 million grant was approved through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).
“I’m so pleased to join with Rep. Gainey to bring these critical grant funds back to Homewood,” Costa said. “Homewood is a growing, thriving community that has so much potential. This project opens the door to new opportunities for businesses and industrial partners to expand their operations. New business ventures mean new job opportunities for residents. What more could we ask for?”
The 150,000 square foot redeveloped building provides affordable rental space for manufacturers and will help spur local investment, bringing renewed energy and expanded employment opportunities to the area.
“I want to thank Governor Wolf for releasing this crucial Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant because of the economic opportunities it will bring for the Homewood community, as well as Senator Costa for his hard work and collaboration on this endeavor.” Gainey said.
Mark Peterson, president and CEO of Bridgeway Capital, added, “7800 Susquehanna Street has created new jobs and economic opportunity for Homewood. This new $1 million grant allows us to expand and build out custom spaces for more small manufacturers and job training organizations. We greatly appreciate the RACP program and Sen. Costa’s and Rep Gainey’s support in bringing much needed new investment to Homewood.”
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Harrisburg – November 16, 2016 – Senate Democrats today elected leaders for the 2017-18 legislative session. State Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) was re-elected Democratic Floor Leader.
“It is an honor and a privilege to once again be chosen to serve the caucus as Leader,” Costa said. “We face many challenges moving into the new session but our members are focused and determined to address key issues and provide for the needs of all Pennsylvanians.”
Costa was elected to the Senate in 1996 and was elected into leadership in 2006, serving first as Caucus Chairman and later Democratic chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Costa will be joined in leadership for the 2017-18 legislative session by:
Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Phila./Montgomery), Democratic Whip. Williams has served in the state legislature since 1988 and was elected to the Senate in 1998. He has served as Democratic Whip since 2011.
Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery), Democratic Appropriations chair. Senator Hughes was elected to the Senate in 1994 and served the caucus previously as Caucus Chairman. This will be Hughes’ fourth term as Democratic Appropriations chair.
Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), Caucus Chairman. Fontana was elected to the Senate in 2005 and was appointed to the leadership team in 2011 as Caucus Administrator where he served for four years.
Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia), Caucus Secretary. Sen. Farnese has represented the First Senatorial District since 2009 and has served on the Democratic leadership team as Caucus Secretary since 2014.
Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh), Policy Committee Chair. Boscola has served in the legislature for more than 20 years and was chosen to serve in 2010 as Caucus Administrator and elected in 2011 as Policy Committee chair.
The leadership positions are effective Dec. 1.
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