Harrisburg – June 5, 2013 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of a signature transportation funding bill (Senate Bill 1). Once fully implemented, the measure would generate an additional $2.5 billion annually to build, repair and maintain roads and bridges in addition to funding mass transit operations.
“The Senate passage of a significant and comprehensive transportation bill sends the signal that we are serious about addressing transportation funding, creating jobs and improving the safety of our roads, bridges and transit systems. It also signals to the state House of Representatives that it is time they get moving on transportation.
[hdvideo id=83 ]
“Without sufficient funds to repair our crumbling roads, bridges and mass transit systems, safety will be compromised and we will be at a severe economic disadvantage. In addition, there is a dire need to invest in our rail system, airports and ports so that new business can be developed.
“The legislation would ensure that we have financing available to fix our transportation system, generate jobs, avoid additional drastic cuts to the Port Authority transit routes and aid all mass transit operations statewide.”
Costa said that a meaningful transportation funding measure has been a legislative priority of Senate Democrats for several years.
The measure now goes to the House of Representatives for its consideration.
###
Harrisburg, June 3, 2013– Senate Democrats today presented their version of a 2013-14 state budget which they say is a responsible alternative to the short-sighted and ill-advised spending plans offered by Gov. Tom Corbett and House Republicans.
Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said that the $28.4 billion spending plan focuses on job creation, education and social service programs. He said it is a balanced plan that uses policy innovations and budget savings to make key investments.
“The Corbett Administration apparently believes there are not enough resources available this year to make meaningful investments in jobs, education, social service programs and other key lines. Instead, they have offered short-sighted, ill-advised budgets that fail to meet the needs of Pennsylvania,” Costa said. “The Senate Democratic plan proves the Corbett Administration is wrong and that more can be done.
[hdvideo id=80 ]
“Senate Democrats have produced a reasonable and responsible alternative to the Corbett and House Republicans budgets.”
Costa said that highlights of the Senate Democratic plan include $212 million more for education, an extra $125 million for job creation plus funding to help small cities deal with economic distress.
According to Costa, through policy changes the Senate Democrats believe they can develop the resources to make investments now without raising broad-based taxes. The Allegheny County lawmaker said the plan is fully paid-for and balanced and does not rely on accounting gimmicks
“The Senate Democratic alternative uses policy choices and proven strategies to produce a reasonable spending plan for not only this year, but next year as well,” Costa said.
Democratic Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia) said that “the Senate Democratic budget changes the direction that Pennsylvania is going. The plan would put people back to work, invest in children and their education and makes the needs of the citizens of Pennsylvania the priority.”
Hughes said that the plan was formed through input from Democratic Senators and was the result of listening to citizens during a series of statewide policy hearings.
“The plan includes funding for jobs, education, innovation and technology in addition to funding for elements of the Senate Democratic initiative to help small cities rebound from economic challenges,” Hughes said.
Hughes said that it is important to Senate Democrats to detail a budget that uses available resources in order to demonstrate that priorities can be funded properly amid extremely difficult fiscal conditions.
Hughes said that Senate Democrats would use policy changes to produce a spending plan that overcomes budget challenges such as the estimated $360 million revenue deficit.
According to Hughes, the Senate Democratic budget alternative utilizes funds generated from liquor modernization, savings from the expansion of Medicaid and a one-year freeze in the phase-out of the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax to produce a reasonable spending plan.
“By agreeing to expand Medicaid, modernize liquor distribution and freeze the phase-out of the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax for one year we can responsibly generate funds and make a real difference,” Hughes said. “These policy decisions are not difficult and the governor should step up and agree to move Pennsylvania in a new direction.”
Hughes said the plan includes $9 million to hire 300 State Troopers and $8 million for the Attorney General that will be used to combat gang violence, illegal firearms and drugs.
Costa said other highlights of the plan include $39 million in new funds for distressed schools, an additional $50 million for Accountability Block Grants and other classroom assistance for a total of $150 million plus $84 million for a Charter Development Program. He said the plan trims spending for the Department of Public Welfare by $180 million and redistributes the savings for key items.
The Democratic Leader said he was hopeful that the plan would become part of budget negotiations. The budget deadline is June 30.
-30-
No Legislative Oversight, Lack of Financial Backing Panned by Senate Democrats
Harrisburg, May 13, 2013 – A new unfunded education mandate now being quietly pursued by the Corbett administration will soon saddle school districts with a $300 million expense and threaten graduation for thousands of students across Pennsylvania, Senate Democrats said today at a Capitol news conference.
[hdvideo id=79 ]
Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester) Democratic chair of the Senate Education Committee, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Sens. Judy Schwank, John Blake and Jim Brewster all expressed their displeasure and concerns about the proposed changes.
“We are not opposed to the implementation of Common Core standards for Pennsylvania’s students,” Dinniman said. “But we are opposed to Common Core standards without adequate state financial resources for our schools so that all of our students have the opportunity to succeed under those standards, including those in financially distressed school districts.
“For the Commonwealth to increase standards without the adequate fiscal resources is a charade. It is a sham that will only lead to false hope,” Dinniman said.
Common Core standards are being sought by the state Department of Education as a way to determine proficiency and graduation eligibility.
According to Dinniman, the implementation of Common Core standards will result in an unfunded mandate of at least $300 million for local schools. There is no specified funding or plan to provide for the remedial instruction, the redesign of curriculum, or the project-based assessments for those who repeatedly fail the tests.
“The implementation of these new standards should be reviewed thoroughly by the General Assembly,” Costa said. “This whole new testing structure will cost taxpayers dearly and it is being implemented without a full understanding of the benefits for students, teachers, administrators and taxpayers.
“A complete explanation of what is being sought by the department is necessary before Pennsylvania schools put these new standards into play.”
Schwank, who represents the economically and academically struggling Reading School District, said the new testing will be particularly devastating to fiscally challenged schools.
“School districts like Reading, as well as many others around the state, are drowning in red ink now,” Schwank said. “These new mandates, without proper fiscal support, will make their financial plight even worse.
“There is certainly nothing wrong with increasing proficiency standards but students, teachers and schools must have resources to invest to address deficiencies.”
To implement new standards and testing procedures without adding dollars makes no sense, Blake (D-Lackawanna) noted. Especially, he said, after the Corbett administration has slashed basic education support by $900 million.
“To add new core testing procedures and a mandate at a cost exceeding $300 million after cutting education support is irresponsible,” Blake said. “The local property taxpayer is going to get squeezed and economically strapped schools and taxpayers will bear an even greater burden.”
Brewster said instead of implementing more tests and costs, educators and the Corbett administration need to step back and decide whether the current testing structure is constructive. He has proposed Senate Bill 823 to create a bi-partisan commission to recommend changes or a total scrapping of the current student testing procedures.
“My belief is we need to look at what we are doing with student testing and come up with a new, better approach that accurately reflects student, school, teacher and community performance,” Brewster said. “Today’s tests are flawed and the whole system is need of restructuring.”
Senate Democrats also lamented that the new Common Core tests involve 10 days of testing, which takes even more time away from traditional instruction.
They added that districts could receive a deeper financial bludgeoning if students fail to pass the tests.
The new Common Core standards will exacerbate the problem of teaching to the test, Senate Democrats said.
HARRISBURG, May 9, 2013 — State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today expressed his thoughts on the death of George M. Leader, who was Pennsylvania’s governor from 1955-59 and was a member of the state Senate from 1951-54:
“Gov. Leader was a pioneer as senator, governor and as a business and civic leader. He served his country during the Second World War and served Pennsylvania well upon his return from military service.
“Even though he served many years ago, his hard work and visionary policies continue to make a difference for Pennsylvania today. Gov. Leader led the fight to create jobs and reform economic policy through the development of the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority. He broadened state civil service and fought for civil rights, education funding, social service reform and vocational rehabilitation among other initiatives.
“Gov. Leader continued to make contributions even after he finished his term as governor. He was a successful and innovative business leader who made it a point to give back to the community.
“Our thoughts and prayers go to Gov. Leader’s family and friends. He was a role model and gentlemen whose service and life made Pennsylvania a better place.”
-30-
Harrisburg – May 8, 2013 – State Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement on the decision of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to uphold the legislative redistricting plan:
“The approval of the redistricting plan by the state Supreme Court is disappointing. We believe that we successfully argued that a fair map, one that includes far fewer municipality, county and community splits, could be created. Our arguments and rationale were consistent and constructive throughout the process.
“Our belief is that the map approved by the commission is partisan and only serves narrow, partisan political interests. We believe there are better alternatives and we offered those during the long reapportionment process.
“However Senate Democrats recognize that the court has now ruled and that it is time to move on in crafting policies that serve all the citizens of Pennsylvania.”
-30-
Harrisburg, April 29, 2013 – State Sen. Jay Costa released the following statement on the state Insurance Department’s approval of Highmark’s proposed affiliation with the West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS).
Costa has been a strong proponent of the affiliation of the insurer and the hospital system as a means to promote competition in the delivery of health care in Western Pennsylvania, preserve community access and foster the growth of jobs in the industry.
“I am very pleased with the decision by the Insurance Department to permit the affiliation of Highmark and WPAHS. This affiliation is critical to a fair, competitive and robust health-care service delivery system in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
“For too long, there has been anxiety and apprehension about health-care choices and there has been too much controversy. This approval is one step in the long-term process of resolving all the health-care issues involving Highmark, WPAHS and UPMC.
“Consumers deserve a better, stronger WPAHS health-care system with choices. The affiliation will result in greater access, reduced costs, more employment opportunities, and it will help sustain communities.
“The affiliation is critical for the future of high-quality, reasonably priced health care in the Pittsburgh area. The community hospitals that are part of the WPAHS are more than health-care operations. For many in the Pittsburgh area, these facilities are lifelines.
“I am hopeful that this is just the beginning of reforming the health-care delivery system in the Pittsburgh area.”
-30-
