Harrisburg – June 30, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement after the Senate passed Medicaid expansion language as a part of the Welfare Code legislation:
“The expansion of Medicaid is a win for Pennsylvania. It is responsible, meaningful and good public policy. The expansion will improve the lives of so many who need help. It will permit more than a half a million Pennsylvania citizens to gain access to health care.
“Medicaid expansion makes fiscal sense. It is fully paid for by the federal government for the first three years and it will generate significant budget savings for Pennsylvania. The expansion will save an estimated $150 million the first year and create significant additional savings in years to come.
“The expansion of the program has been a priority for Senate Democrats for many months. Senate Democrats traveled the state to learn how the program expansion will help citizens from all walks of life. We recognized its value and worked with Senate Republicans to craft language that was acceptable.
“I am very pleased that the language was approved with bi-partisan support and I am hopeful that the House will endorse the plan.”
According to independent estimates Medicaid expansion will create 35,000 to 40,000 jobs and inject $4 billion into our economy and will provide an important economic boost.
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Harrisburg – June 30, 2013 – State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said that while he has reservations about the budget plan that was approved in the Senate today, he was willing to support the $28.375 spending plan because it includes positive aspects.
“There are many things that I would do differently if Senate Democrats were crafting the plan — such as investing more in schools and job creation — but there are key elements in the plan that I support,” Costa said. “We can do better and we shouldn’t be satisfied, but we need to move the process and put a budget in place.”
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Costa said in particular he was satisfied that all schools will share in the $130 million boost in the basic subsidy, but he was disturbed that a slice of that increase was earmarked for selected school districts in mostly Republican areas.
“On balance, because all school districts will see an increase, the budget is helpful but we need to do more for distressed schools,” Costa said.
Costa said the plan provides an increase of $8 million for the Attorney General including an additional $3 million for the Child Predator Interception Unit, plus new funds to modernize technology in the Auditor General’s office.
The budget also includes an increase in funding for the Pennsylvania State Police to provide for three new cadet classes – approximately 300 cadets.
“These new funds for the Attorney General and State Police are critical to improving public safety and protection in our communities,” Costa said.
The Democratic Leader said that an important aspect of the tax and spending plan includes a freeze in the phase-out of the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax which was an initiative of the Senate Democratic caucus. This provision is included in a separate tax code bill.
“With limited revenue available this year, the freeze in the phase-out of the Capital Stock and Franchise was a Senate Democratic priority and I am pleased they are part of the overall budget approach,” Costa said. Costa said that the freeze in the phase-out of the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax “will generate $54 million that can be used to meet critical needs this year.”
One of the most important parts of the overall budget package is the inclusion of Medicaid expansion language in the welfare code legislation, according to Costa.
The senator said that the welfare code changes would permit the governor to enter into an agreement with the federal government under certain conditions to expand Medicaid to cover individuals earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.
It is estimated that more than 500,000 Pennsylvanians will gain access to health care access as a result of the expansion and between 35,000 to 40,000 jobs will be created.
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Harrisburg – June 28, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said that he was ecstatic that Medicaid expansion language was included in legislation that cleared the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee today.
The expansion language was approved with a strong bi-partisan vote among committee members.
“Expanding Medicaid will deliver health care to more than a half million Pennsylvania citizens,” Costa said. “It is economically justifiable, responsible public policy and meaningful for so many who need access to health care.”
Costa said that Medicaid expansion was a priority of Senate Democrats who have championed the cause and campaigned for months for the expansion of the program. Medicaid expansion is an aspect of the federal Affordable Care Act.
“Senate Democrats have pushed the expansion for months through hearings, meetings and public statements and it remains a priority,” Costa said. “We worked with our Senate Republican colleagues to devise an agreement that opens the window for the expansion.
“We all recognize this is just the first step in the process, but it’s an important stride toward helping citizens, creating jobs, and saving precious state taxpayer dollars. I am very pleased that this provision was included in the legislation that cleared the committee.”
The legislation enables Pennsylvania to enter into an agreement with the federal government to expand the state’s Medicaid program to cover individuals who earn 138 percent of the federal poverty level. It is estimated that this expansion will permit more than 500,000 working Pennsylvanians access to health care.
The language was inserted into the Welfare Code bill and includes conditions that will have to be considered and recognized when the expansion agreement with the federal government is developed, Costa said.
According to Costa, the expansion is fully paid for by the federal government for the first three years. Independent groups ranging from the Pennsylvania Economy League to Rand Health studied the expansion and believe it will create 35,000 to 40,000 jobs, inject $4 billion into the economy and result in significant budget savings.
The state’s Independent Fiscal Office says Pennsylvania will save an average annual savings of $289 million if Medicaid is expanded.
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HARRISBURG – June 26, 2013 – At a Capitol news conference, Sens. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) and Rob Teplitz (D-Dauphin) called for a more rapid pace of reform of the governing structure at Penn State and said the General Assembly has a role to play in ensuring that appropriate changes are made quickly.
The lawmakers are calling for hearings to be held over the summer leading to speedy consideration of comprehensive reform legislation in the fall.
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Yudichak, who has been a longtime advocate of board reforms, but a critic of the pace and depth of the modifications made thus far by the Penn State board, said it is important for taxpayers to understand that Penn State is accountable and that the General Assembly can force systemic changes in the university’s governing structure.
Teplitz, who formerly served as chief counsel and policy director to Auditor General Jack Wagner, helped prepare a comprehensive report on the governing structure at Penn State. He noted that few of the recommendations have been implemented.
According to State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester), Penn State’s Board of Trustees has enacted mild reforms, but needs to do more. Dinniman has introduced SB 410, which would make specific changes to Penn State’s governance structure including reducing the board’s size, implementing term limits for board members and limiting the university president’s role among other things. Another bill that Dinniman authored, SB 408, would expand the Ethics Act to cover board members of state-related universities.
“As an alumnus I am very proud of Penn State and want to ensure that it maintains its world-class status,” Dinniman said.
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Harrisburg – June 18, 2013 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement on the liquor privatization plan offered by Sen. McIlhinney.
“Senate Democrats are unified in support of modernization not privatization.
“We believe that the system should be modernized and have offered details in legislation sponsored by Senator Ferlo. Senator Ferlo’s modernization plan has the full support of Senate Democrats.
“The modernization plan updates and refreshes the Wine and Spirits system, preserves jobs, improves convenience for consumers and provides protection against minors gaining access to alcohol.
“The plan offered by Senator McIlhinney confuses the issue and raises significant questions about lost revenues and wine and spirits expansion into to tens of thousands retail outlets without control.
“Instead of cobbling a new plan together at the last minute, the Senate Republicans should use Senator Ferlo’s legislation which has bipartisan support and sponsorship.
“The plan outlined today has too many questions. It bleeds revenue and cuts jobs without replacement and fails to address concerns that have been raised.
“It’s time to modernize, not privatize.”
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HARRISBURG, June 13, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said Senate Democrats believe Gov. Tom Corbett has made excellent choices in selecting highly qualified, experienced, skilled and dedicated public servants as nominees to fill vacancies on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Turnpike Commission, Liquor Control Board (LCB) and Public Utility Commission (PUC).
Costa said Senate Democrats think the governor’s choices are balanced and thoughtful and that they cross political lines.
Corbett nominated Superior Court President Judge Correale F. Stevens to fill the vacancy on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, former U.S. Rep. Tim Holden for the Liquor Control Board, former state Sen. Sean Logan to fill a spot on the Turnpike Commission, and Senate Democratic Deputy Chief Counsel Gladys M. Brown for the Public Utility Commission.
Costa issued the following statement about the governor’s nominees:
“The governor made excellent choices for each of these positions and Senate Democrats are very pleased with the nominees. These individuals are exceptional and accomplished and, once confirmed, we have no doubt they will make significant contributions as members of the Supreme Court, LCB, Turnpike and PUC.
“The nominees are very talented and each has achieved a great deal in their careers in public service. Judge Stevens is a skilled, experienced jurist with a long career on the bench and in other public service positions. He is able and talented and will be a superb addition to the court.
“Rep. Tim Holden had a long career in Congress and has deep roots in Schuylkill County. He was a leader and a fighter in Washington D.C. and crafted important federal law. Rep. Holden will be able to continue his work in public service and will play a significant role in shaping policies that meet the needs of Pennsylvania as a member of the LCB.
“Gov. Corbett’s nominee for the Turnpike Commission, Sen. Sean Logan, is a former colleague from Allegheny County. Sean is a leader who has been intimately involved in key issues as a senator and as the mayor of Monroeville. His work at each stop in his career in public service has been significant. His knowledge of transportation and finance issues will enable Sean to make an immediate and long-lasting contribution as a member of the commission.
“Gladys Brown has the education, background, experience and expertise to be a leader on the broad issues that come before the PUC. Gladys’ knowledge of utility issues is thorough and her work product is impeccable. For many years, she has helped the members of the Senate craft legislation and has worked on many important measures relating to public utilities and other matters. Gladys’ work is highly valued and I have no doubt that she will be an outstanding member of the PUC.”
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