Senate Democrats React to Budget Line-Item Veto

Harrisburg – Dec. 29, 2015 – Senate Democrats provided the following reaction to Gov. Tom Wolf’s line-item veto of a Republican budget plan. The governor released six months of emergency funding for schools and human service programs, or $23.39 billion of the House Republican’s original $30.3 billion proposal.

Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa’s (D-Allegheny) remarks follow:

“The governor’s action today will hopefully force House Republican lawmakers back to Harrisburg to finish work on a responsible spending plan. Legislators need to return to business and work toward the passage of the $30.8 billion budget framework agreement.

“The House Republican budget was $500 million out of balance. It does not address the $1.3 billion structural deficit that has hobbled state government and simply continued Corbett-type budgeting for another year. After the House Republicans walked away from a responsible budget plan last week, the governor had few options.

“The governor’s release of six-months of emergency funding for schools and human service programs pushes money to schools and programs that are confronted by serious financial challenges.”

Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) on the line-item veto:

“The purposeful decision of House Republicans to repeatedly stonewall the agreed-to framework budget has left Pennsylvania’s school system on the brink of collapse, so I applaud the governor’s decision to approve emergency funding for school districts throughout the commonwealth.

“Our schools have gone above the call of duty to keep their doors open. They cannot continue to do that, nor should we allow that to happen.

“Pennsylvania’s financial situation remains an urgent one despite the governor’s action today. Members of the House GOP need to get back to Harrisburg as quickly as they left and approve the agreed-to framework 2015-2016 budget because this is short-term help. Schools will close if the leadership in this lone caucus continues its bad behavior.”

Senate Democratic Whip Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) provided the following statement on the governor’s action:

“The organizations that operate in the shadows of Pennsylvania life are closing their doors because of House Republicans are willfully and callously ignoring their plight.

“Our human service agencies needed a relief valve from the unfair financial burden being placed on them by one of the four legislative caucuses, and Gov. Wolf rightly gave it to them.”

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Contact: Stacey Witalec
Sen. Jay Costa
717-877-2997
switalec@pasenate.com

Senate Approves General Fund Budget

Harrisburg – Dec. 7, 2015 –The Senate approved a $30.5 billion General Fund budget that provides for a historic increase in school funding, the restoration of job creation and human service program funds, and long-term fiscal stability without a broad-based tax increase, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said today.

“This was a grueling, troubling and very difficult budget but it is time to bring closure,” Costa said. “The citizens of Pennsylvania, our schools, service providers and taxpayers need relief and fiscal stability now.”

Senate Bill 1073 passed the Senate with a bi-partisan 43-7 vote. The negotiated budget was nearly six months past due and still must clear the state House of Representatives and be signed by the governor.

“Our main focus was on helping schools, repairing the safety net, promoting job creation and ensuring fiscal responsibility and that’s why it has taken so long to find common ground,” Costa said. “The plan provides a more than $460 million boost for schools and it wipes away a $1.3 billion structural deficit.”

Costa said that in addition to the largest increase in Pennsylvania history for education, there is $300 million more in overall funding for human services, in addition to $50 million in Pre-K Counts and $10 million for Head Start.

Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia) said the Senate’s approval of a responsible, meaningful and significant bipartisan budget is a major step forward in restoring Pennsylvania’s future.

“Schools will be helped and we’ve started the process of restoring crucial human service program dollars that were slashed over the last four years,” Hughes said. “The budget includes key Senate Democrat priorities and proposals with the governor’s initiatives intertwined.”

Hughes said the agreement includes more than 70 percent of the governor’s original request for education, 100 percent of his human service ask, 70 percent of the community and economic request, and puts Pennsylvania on the path to fully restore – within three years – all of the funds cut from safety net programs by the Corbett administration.

“Given the recent budget history and the serious difficulties that have been imposed on Pennsylvania citizens as a result of deep cuts in education, human services and job creation it is clear that we had to change course and make investments,” Hughes said.

Former Gov. Tom Corbett cut education by $1 billion, severely cut back human service funds and downsized economic development programs.

Senate Democratic Whip Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) said Pennsylvania needed to refocus policy on children and seniors while supporting human services and ensuring that taxpayers are well-served. He said that Pennsylvania could ill afford another year of Corbett-type budgets.

“This budget refocuses fiscal policy in Pennsylvania away from short-term, reactionary decision- making,” Williams, said. “It includes many initiatives sought by Senate Democrats and makes children and our most vulnerable citizens priorities.

“A budget is a statement of priorities and I am pleased with what we are saying in this proposal.”

The budget framework uses $670 million in additional revenues this year to balance the books for this year and includes enough recurring income to eliminate the $1.3 billion structural deficit that Gov. Tom Wolf inherited.

Costa said the negotiated budget was far better than previous Republican budgets that were vetoed by Gov. Wolf. Those plans featured less funding for schools and were balanced with one-time expenditures and gimmicks.

“The budget the Senate passed today reflects many priorities of Senate Democrats,” Costa said. “We wanted more investments in education, human services and job creation and they are prominently featured as part of this plan.”

Hughes said the challenges left on Gov. Wolf’s doorstep by the previous administration were significant as there was a need to properly fund education and pull away from budget shortfalls and fiscal gimmicks that spiraled into state credit downgrades and increased local property taxes.

Costa said he hoped the days of slash-and-burn budgeting were over because the short-term approach that required jumping from one fiscal crisis to the next put Pennsylvania in a precarious financial position.

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Costa, Bartolotta Highway Worker Safety Legislation Heading to Governor for Signature

Harrisburg, Nov. 18, 2015 – Legislation geared toward preventing distracted and aggressive driving in work zones is heading to Gov. Tom Wolf for signature after unanimous concurrence by the Senate this week, according to the bill’s sponsors, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-43) and Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46).

“I am honored and humbled at the overwhelming support by my House and Senate colleagues for this critically important measure. We have the opportunity to save lives with this legislation and to show our support for those working to keep our highways safe and we’ve done just that,” Costa said. “There isn’t a text, an email or a phone call that is more important than our workers returning home safe to their families.”

Senate Bill 887, which originally passed the Senate in June, toughens penalties for drivers who endanger or kill a highway worker or first responder in a construction zone. The bill also broadens the scope of “highway workers” to include emergency personnel, local government and municipal workers, members of the Pennsylvania State Police and law enforcement community, and contractors or utility company workers.

“The frequency of incidents in work zones is troubling, and highway workers and their families live in constant fear that the irresponsible actions of a distracted or aggressive driver will ultimately lead to a tragedy. By strengthening the penalties for reckless drivers, we can help limit the dangers faced by the men and women who help maintain our vital infrastructure,” Bartolotta said. “I am pleased my colleagues recognized the significance of this bipartisan legislation and that we owe it to workers and their families to do everything in our power to limit the dangers they face.”

Under the bill, violators could face fines and penalties exceeding $1,000 for irresponsible driving in work zones. More serious offenses involving injuries to highway workers or emergency responders could result in a fine of up to $5,000 and a six-month suspension of the violator’s driver’s license. Drivers causing the death of a worker would pay a fine of up to $10,000 and surrender their license for one year.

Amendments made in the state House clarified that the increased fines and license suspension called for in the bill begin upon conviction, adjudication of delinquency or admission into accelerated rehabilitative disposition program. The House also changed the effective date from 60 days to six months.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports that approximately 100 workers are killed and another 20,000 workers are injured every year in highway and street construction accidents.

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Costa Comments of Announcement of State Budget Framework

Harrisburg – Nov. 10, 2015 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said today that he was pleased that a framework for the 2015-16 state General Fund budget has been crafted and that significant progress has been made toward a comprehensive agreement.

Costa joined Gov. Tom Wolf, House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) and Republican leaders of both the House and Senate at a news briefing outside the governor’s office today to announce the budget framework.

Costa’s statement follows:

“While there is more work ahead, I am pleased that a budget framework is in place that may put us in position to consider a comprehensive budget agreement in the near future. What we announced with the governor today was an outline of a plan that leaders of both parties can take to their members once details are finalized.

“The hope is that the process can be concluded shortly and that a full general budget plus historic agreements on key issues will be before the General Assembly within the next couple weeks.

“Today’s announcement was a positive development. Clearly, there is momentum and both Democrat and Republican leaders are working with the governor to reach consensus on the details of a spending plan that addresses key priorities.”

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State Senate Roundtable in Pittsburgh Focuses on Integrating Arts into Math and Science Curricula

Pittsburgh – November 5, 2015 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a roundtable discussion in Pittsburgh on integrating arts education into science and technology curricula.

“Mixing arts into science and math instruction adds balance and inspires a creative approach that has produced significant scientific and technological advances over the years,” Costa said. “I hope we can find ways to strengthen science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) pursuits by integrating arts instruction.”

Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh), who chairs the committee, added, “Artistic and creative thinking have gone hand and hand with many of the greatest technological advances in human history. Arts add creativity, balance and a very human purpose and passion to technological pursuits.”

The lawmakers noted that the arts can be used as a diverse multi-disciplinary learning tool, and provides greater access to the STEM fields for all types of learners.

State Secretary of Labor and Industry Kathy Manderino emphasized that the Wolf Administration’s focus on “sustainable workforce development doesn’t start after education. It starts with education.”

Dr. Michael Self, Dean of Academic Affairs at the Community College of Allegheny County, added that discussions about integrating arts are “critical toward providing students additional pathways from education to a good job.” He also urged that schools work more toward educating students and parents about the value of arts as an educational component.

Shaun Tomaszewski, who serves as STEAM coordinator for the Pittsburgh Public Schools, told the panel of lawmakers that educators and administrators need to overcome “practical hurdles” such as integrating arts principles into science and math instruction, but also work on issues such as accrediting courses, meshing the instruction with curriculum and graduation requirements and certifying STEAM teachers as the program expands into more high schools.

Boscola said employers, such as the University of Pittsburgh’s Medical Center, are hiring more and more artistic people with backgrounds in visual communication and design to work with clinicians and software experts on innovative and broad-based solutions.

Pointing to a Georgetown study showing that 65 percent of those with Bachelors’ degrees in STEM fields earn more than Master’s degrees in non-STEM occupations, Costa said he understands why more and more students are pursuing science and high-tech degrees. However, he added that integrating an arts component could strengthen and diversify capability and add a creative approach to solving problems.

Boscola added that exposure to the arts “strengthens a student’s creativity, broadens their horizons, and instills the ability and courage to think out of the box. Our educational leaders should never lose sight of the indelible link between artistic expression and scientific advancement.”

Joining Costa and Boscola for today’s roundtable discussion at the IBEW training facility were Sens. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), John Blake (D-Lackawanna), and Sean Wiley (D-Erie).

The following also took part in the discussion:

  • Kathy Manderino, Secretary of the state Department of Labor and Industry
  • Dr. David Pankratz, Research & Policy Director, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council
  • Alan Johnson, Superintendent, Woodland Hills School District
  • Alison Kline, Principal, Woodland Hills Intermediate Center
  • Dr. Michael Self, Dean of Academic Affairs, Community College of Allegheny County
  • Ms. Theresa Bryant, Vice President of Workforce Development, Community College of Allegheny County
  • Jessica Trybus, CEO, SimCoach Games, and Special Faculty at the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) of CMU
  • Paul Reinert, Training Director, IBEW Local Union No. 5 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee
  • Shaun Tomaszewski, Coordinator of STEAM Education, Pittsburgh Public Schools
  • Alex Halper, Director, Government Affairs, PA Chamber of Business and Industry
  • Ramera Powell, 8th grade student, Woodland Hills Academy
  • Venneasha Davis, teacher, Woodland Hills Academy

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Senate Highway Worker Safety Legislation Clears House Committee

Bill Heads to Full House Chamber for Vote

Harrisburg – October 27, 2015 – Legislation aimed at strengthening penalties and increasing fines for distracted and aggressive driving was approved by the House Transportation Committee today, according to the bill’s sponsors, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-43) and Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46).

The legislation, Senate Bill 887, which passed the Senate in June, toughens penalties for drivers who endanger or kill a highway worker or first responder in a construction zone. The bill also broadens the scope of those considered “highway workers” to include emergency personnel, local government and municipal workers, members of the Pennsylvania State Police, law enforcement, contractors or utility company workers.

“Today’s vote by the House committee was another important step in protecting our highway workers and first responders. A vote for this bill is a vote in favor in saving lives,” Costa said. “There isn’t a text, an email or a phone call that is more important than the lives of those working in construction zones. Slow down, pay attention and you’ll save a life.

Under the bill, violators could face fines and penalties exceeding $1,000 for irresponsible driving in work zones. More serious offenses involving injuries to highway workers or emergency responders could result in a fine of up to $5,000 and a six-month suspension of the violator’s driver’s license. Drivers causing the death of a worker would pay a fine of up to $10,000 and surrender their license for one year.

“The consequences of distracted and aggressive driving in work zones can be catastrophic and the penalties in this legislation are intended to be a deterrent,” Bartolotta said. “Construction workers on road and bridge projects risk being involved in an accident every day and it is the General Assembly’s responsibility to ensure adequate precautions are established to ensure safety of these work zones.”

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports that approximately 100 workers are killed and another 20,000 workers are injured every year in highway and street construction accidents.

The bill cleared the committee with a unanimous vote and will now be considered by the full House of Representatives.

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