HARRISBURG, PA – November 13, 2024 – The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today elected its leadership team for the 2025-26 legislative session.
The Senate Democratic Caucus also proudly welcomes two new members: Senator Patty Kim representing Senate District 15, and Senator Nick Pisciottano, who succeeds Senator Jim Brewster in representing Senate District 45.
The new and returning members elected the following Caucus Leadership Team:
- Leader – Jay Costa, Jr.
- Caucus Whip – Tina Tartaglione
- Appropriations Committee Chair – Vincent Hughes
- Caucus Chair – Maria Collett
- Caucus Secretary – Steve Santarsiero
- Policy Committee Chair – Nick Miller
- Administrator – Judy Schwank
“I am honored and humbled to announce that I will be serving as the Leader of the PA Senate Democratic Caucus for the next two years,” said Senator Jay Costa. “I’d like to thank my fellow Democratic senators for entrusting me with this responsibility. I look forward to the fight ahead.”
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to fighting for every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $850,000 for a project in Pittsburgh.
“I am so proud to live in a community with organizations doing incredible work to improve the lives of our friends and neighbors, and I’m honored to do my part to deliver the resources to keep them going,” said Senator Costa. “I look forward to seeing these critical projects come to fruition and continue to beautify Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.”
With State Representative Jessica Benham, Senator Costa announces that WAG4 LP was awarded $850,000 for St. Peters Church Redevelopment. The overall project includes the interior and exterior redevelopment of this building, including ADA accessible restrooms and new sidewalks.
“I’m always looking for ways to make our community spaces more accessible,” said Representative Benham. “I’m pleased this new funding that Senator Costa and I secured is going to help transform the former St. Peters Church into a multi-use space for our friends and neighbors.”
Per the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget, “RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs.”
Learn more about Senate Democrats’ commitment to thriving communities every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces over $1 Million in RACP funding benefitting Swissvale and Penn Hills.
“I am so proud to live in a community with organizations doing incredible work to improve the lives of our friends and neighbors, and I’m honored to do my part to deliver the resources to keep them going,” said Senator Costa. “I look forward to seeing these critical projects come to fruition and continue to beautify Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.”
With State Representative Abigail Salisbury, Senator Costa announces that POWER in Swissvale Borough was awarded $850,000 for POWER Campus III. The project involves important capital improvements to two POWER’s facilities located on the POWER Campus in Swissvale. The improvements will enhance POWER’s ability to provide substance use disorder services and expand the services that POWER offers to clients and larger community.
“POWER does incredible work helping to empower and transform the lives of women facing substance use disorder,” Salisbury said. “The new funding will support needed improvements to two buildings on the group’s unique, Swissvale-based campus, which consolidates all levels of care in one location. The renovations will allow POWER to enhance and expand its services to reach more women.”
Further with State Representative Abigail Salisbury, Senator Costa announces that Wilkinsburg Borough was awarded $275,000 for building improvements to the Borough building. The proposed project entails reconstruction of the building entrance and ADA improvements, electrical generator upgrades, renovation of the police and fire departments living quarters, a new elevator, HVAC upgrades, and renovations to public and employee restroom facilities.
“These are important improvements required to make the building safer, more accessible, more useful and more comfortable for the public employees and first responders based there,” Salisbury said.
Per the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget, “RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs.”
Learn more about Senate Democrats’ commitment to thriving communities every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $11 Million in RACP funding benefitting Senate District 43.
“I am so proud to live in a community with organizations doing incredible work to improve the lives of our friends and neighbors, and I’m honored to do my part to deliver the resources to keep them going,” said Senator Costa. “I look forward to seeing these critical projects come to fruition and continue to beautify Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.”
With State Representative Dan Frankel, Senator Costa announces that Temple Sinai in Pittsburgh City was awarded $1,000,000 for system maintenance and repairs. Some of the operating systems in the building are over fifty years old and need to be replaced with modern technology.
Further with State Representative Dan Frankel, Senator Costa announces that Tree of Life was awarded $4,000,000 for Phase II of construction. The core goals for the project include: preserving the historic spaces; modernizing and right-sizing the main sanctuary; and designing an innovative and interactive Holocaust and modern anti-Semitism exhibit.
“These dollars show our commonwealth’s commitment to the historic Tree of Life project,” said Frankel. “I am proud to help ensure that the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in America will stand as a monument to tolerance, education and resilience.”
Finally with State Representative Dan Frankel, Senator Costa announces that Walnut Capital Mckee LP was awarded $6,000,000 for Oakland Crossings – Urban Center Mixed Use District (UC-MU). The First Phase of Oakland Crossings includes costs associated with land acquisition, site work, infrastructure, and utilities for the Urban Core-Mixed Use (UC-MU) District.
Per the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget, “RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs.”
Learn more about Senate Democrats’ commitment to thriving communities every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – With State Senator Wayne Fontana, Senator Costa announces that The Clemente Collection at Engine House 25 was awarded $750,000 for Museum Infrastructure Renovations. This project involves several areas. The primary components are elevator installation, roof upgrades, IT upgrades, and improvements to the facade.
“I am so proud to live in a community with organizations doing incredible work to improve the lives of our friends and neighbors, and I’m honored to do my part to deliver the resources to keep them going,” said Senator Costa. “Roberto Clemente was not only an excellent athlete, but a world-class human being, always fighting for what’s right. I’m honored to help share his legacy through these RACP dollars.”
“The Clemente Museum is one of our region’s top tourist attractions,” said Senator Fontana. “I was proud to support the Museum’s RACP request which will make their building more accessible to the public and enable them to host more visitors.”
Per the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget, “RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs.”
Learn more about Senate Democrats’ commitment to thriving communities every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus condemns in the strongest terms the offensive and racist depictions of Vice President Kamala Harris at a Mount Pleasant Borough Halloween Parade last night. Vice President Harris, who is of Black and Indian descent, was depicted with her hands bound and walking behind a vehicle with a roof-mounted rifle.
In response, the Democratic Caucus issues the following statement:
“Yesterday’s display was beyond inappropriate, disgusting, and offensive, and we are deeply troubled that so many families and community members had to bear witness to such a repulsive display. Our community is a place where everyone must feel welcome, regardless of their political affiliation, race, gender, or faith. This gross display rehashing the painful history of enslavement of African Americans violates one of our deepest values: that Pennsylvania is for all of us. We cannot conjure language strong enough to condemn this behavior, and we call on our fellow elected officials to join us in condemning this violent incident.”
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats’ commitment to safe communities for every Pennsylvanian here.
