Harrisburg – Aug. 18, 2016 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement in support of Gov. Tom Wolf’s nomination of Bruce Beemer to serve as interim attorney general.
Former Attorney General Kathleen Kane resigned on Wednesday following her conviction by a jury in Montgomery County on charges related to leaked grand jury documents. Bruce Castor is currently serving as interim attorney general.
Beemer previously served as first deputy in the Office of Attorney General and deputy district attorney in Allegheny County. He has extensive administrative and courtroom experience. As deputy district attorney in Allegheny County he tried many drug and homicide cases.
Beemer currently services as Pennsylvania’s inspector general. His nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.
Costa’s comments follow:
“The governor has nominated an experienced administrator and prosecutor who will bring stability to the Office of Attorney General. Bruce Beemer has worked in courtrooms in Allegheny County and has ably handled administrative functions related to the attorney general’s office in Harrisburg.
“While the appointment will only be for a short period it will serve an important transition. Mr. Beemer’s steady hand, knowledge of the functions of the office and legal expertise will be very welcomed.
“I am hopeful that this nomination will be well received by the Senate.”
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Wilkinsburg, August 4, 2016 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, a joint state Senate-House Democratic Policy Committee hearing was held today on efforts and resources to fight blight within our communities, including the successes and challenges of land banks.
“Blight is a scourge that impedes both business and residential interest in a community,” Costa said. “We must do what we can to give our municipalities the resources, tools and flexibility they need to quickly eradicate blight and begin revitalization efforts.”
Costa said blight poses health and safety risks, reduces neighborhood property values, drains municipal revenue on enforcement and maintenance efforts, and discourages community investment and growth.
Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton), who chairs the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, said “transforming dilapidated properties from community liabilities to revitalization linchpins must be our shared goal.”
Boscola added that Pennsylvania has approximately 300,000 vacant properties – many of them eye-sores. She said legislators should steer clear of “one-size-fits-all solutions” and give local government leaders the “flexibility to tailor revitalization efforts that fit their unique needs.”
State Rep. Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny), who co-chaired the hearing, said the state has passed several laws in recent years aimed at assisting local governments in blight removal and revitalization initiatives. He added that there are also numerous proposals under consideration in the legislature that would generate more funding for demolition and revitalization work and toughen penalties against absentee owners.
Costa said a 2012 law that established land banks provides an innovative way to acquire and ready properties for reinvestment. He pointed to the local Tri-COG Land Bank as a “promising program that numerous Allegheny county communities should look into.” Tri-COG recently received a pledge of $1.5 million in seed funding from the Heinz endowment.
A land bank acquires blighted properties, clears delinquent taxes and liens, and prepares the property for investment and revitalization – all aimed at returning the property to the tax rolls and productive use. A county or municipality must have a population of at least 10,000 to form a land bank. Local governments have the option of joining and must pay 5 percent of yearly delinquent tax collections to help fund the program.
Urban Redevelopment Authority Director Kyra Straussman lamented that a fourth of the city’s footprint is abandoned and vacant property that the government does not control.
“While our tax base is eroding, we are simultaneously directly paying millions in tax dollars annually to keep problem vacant and abandoned property just as it is,” she said.
Matt Madia, who serves as chief strategy and development officer for Bridgestone Capital investment program, discussed his firm’s revitalization work, including its $9.6 million effort to revitalize the Homewood neighborhood in Pittsburgh. He said some of their business loans have resulted in new businesses occupying commercial space that would otherwise be vacant. He said providing this core business sector with its products and services helps make a neighborhood “welcoming and livable.”
Mark Mohn, vice-chair state Association of Realtors Legislative Committee, said rising property local taxes has worsened the blight problem by making home ownership less affordable. He said lawmakers should consider shifting the tax burden away from homeowners to more broad-based local and state resources.
“It’s time to stop picking the pockets of homebuyers,” Mohn added, suggesting that lawmakers should consider allowing bond referendums and Social Impact Bonds where municipalities can pay back outside investors for transforming blighted properties into productive ones.
Others who testified were: Cynthia Whitman Daley, policy director of the PA Housing Alliance; Tracey Evans, executive director of the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation; A. William Schenck, TriState Capital Bank Board Member, Pennsylvania Economy League of Greater Pittsburgh; An Lewis, Director, Steel Rivers COG; Daniel Lavelle, board member, Pittsburg Land Bank; and Liz Kozub, Community Development coordinator, Turtle Creek COG.
Joining Costa, Gainey and Boscola were Senators John Blake (D-Lackawanna), Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), and Representatives Chris Sainato (D-Lawrence) and Paul Costa (D-Allegheny).
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Harrisburg – July 14, 2016 – Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) and Pittsburgh Councilman Corey O’Conner today thanked the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, (PHFA), and ACTION-Housing for their efforts in helping develop new affordable housing options in Squirrel Hill.
At their monthly meeting in Harrisburg today, PHFA approved more than $40 million in tax credits and nearly $6 million in PennHOMES funding for multifamily housing developments across Pennsylvania. ACTION-Housing will utilize $1.1 million in credits to develop the new Squirrel Hill Gateway Lofts project in Squirrel Hill.
“ACTION-Housing is a leader in providing affordable, accessible housing for families,” Costa said. “Time and again they’ve reached into communities across Allegheny County and partnered with developers and community groups to make a difference.”
“We’re fortunate to have them repurposing property in Squirrel Hill and providing new options for local families to call home.”
According to ACTION-Housing, the new, seven-story development, known as the Squirrel Hill Gateway Lofts will include 33 residential units in addition to renovated space for Jewish Residential Services to operate an expanded Howard Levin Club House and administrative offices.
“It was such good news to hear that ACTION-Housing received a highly competitive tax credit to build mixed income lofts on the old Poli’s restaurant site,” said O’Connor said. “With Jewish Residential Services’ Howard Levin Club House on the first floor and housing on the second, there will finally be an attractive new building sitting right at the gateway to the Squirrel Hill business district.”
“I join Senator Costa and Councilman O’Connor in congratulating Jewish Residential Services and Action Housing on their collaborative approach to providing housing to the disabled and those with limited incomes,” Frankel said. “This money will provide much-needed housing relief in the area and reaffirms our commitment to ensuring available, affordable housing throughout the City of Pittsburgh.
“While Pittsburgh has enjoyed unprecedented growth in the last decade, not all of our neighbors have been able to enjoy the prosperity of this growth. With this development, low income or disabled neighbors have another option that allows them to stay and work in their community.”
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Harrisburg – July 14, 2016 – Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Paul Costa (D-Allegheny) today lauded ACTION-Housing’s plans to renovate blighted property in Forest Hills and turn the structure into affordable housing options for seniors and veterans.
ACTION-Housing plans to use Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) tax credits to renovate property at 1844 Ardmore Boulevard and create 41 housing units, including six which will be fully accessible for seniors and veterans with hearing and vision impairments.
“This project epitomizes what the community of Forest Hills is all about – a focus on revitalization and providing for the needs of our seniors and veterans,” Sen. Costa said. “Through a partnership with PHFA, the Borough of Forest Hills and Veterans Leadership, we’re showing that what was once was old and blighted can be new again and provide for the needs of our most vulnerable citizens.”
“Our Forest Hills community is growing and thriving and partnerships for projects like this one are the key to our success.”
Once complete, the building will offer a full array of supportive services for building residents, provided through the Borough of Forest Hills and the Veterans Leadership Program.
Funding for the project was approved by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, (PHFA), during their monthly meeting in Harrisburg where more than $40 million in tax credits and nearly $6 million in PennHOMES funding for multifamily housing developments across Pennsylvania was announced.
“This project is will go a long way toward meeting the housing needs of veterans and seniors in our community,” Rep. Costa said. “This community redevelopment project represents the evolution of housing and how old facilities can be adapted for use if innovation and expertise is applied.”
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Harrisburg – July 13, 2016 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement after the Senate approved a revenue package that closes a $1.2 billion hole in the $31.5 billion 2016-17 General Fund budget.
The new funding eliminates the budget deficit, while guaranteeing key investments in education, opioid treatment, job creation, senior citizen programs and social services.
The 2016-17 General Fund budget (Senate Bill 1073) went into effect earlier this week without the governor’s signature.
The measure, House Bill 1198, cleared the Senate on a 28 to 22 vote.
Costa’s comments follow:
“The challenges in completing a comprehensive budget and revenue plan for 2016-17 were significant. It was essential that new budget investments in education, human services, job creation and public safety are both fully funded and paid for in a responsible way.
“The $1.24 billion new revenue package is an honest approach that uses a responsible mix of sustainable revenues, funding enhancements and efficiencies to generate sufficient dollars to erase the budget deficit and bolster funding of key programs.
“The bipartisan revenue package that was approved today – combined with the solid spending plan that went into effect without the governor’s signature yesterday – moves Pennsylvania forward and enables the state to regain ground lost from years of disinvestment.”
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Harrisburg, July 10, 2016 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) released the following comments in support of Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement that he was allowing the state budget bill (Senate Bill 1073) to become law without his signature.
The governor said that he will continue working on a bipartisan revenue package to fund the $31.53 billion state spending plan for Fiscal 2016-17. The spending measure that cleared the Senate with a bipartisan 47 to 3 vote includes $200 million in new dollars for basic education, $20 million more for special education and additional fund for early childhood education.
Sen. Jay Costa:
“In letting the budget become law and keeping the dollars flowing for key programs, the governor is appropriately moving the state forward. The state spending plan is solid budget that includes new funds for basic education, special education, early childhood education and dollars for opioid treatment. Work must continue on a bipartisan basis to find the resources and revenues that are needed to fund these key initiatives.”
Sen. Vincent J. Hughes:
“The state budget was developed in a bipartisan way and it passed both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support. While we all have differing priorities, I am pleased that the measure will go into effect so important social service programs and funding initiatives are not interrupted. Revenues are tight and choices hard, but we must continue working in a bipartisan way to find sustainable revenues and balance the state spending plan.”
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