HARRISBURG, December 3, 2012 – Edgewood Borough residents will soon benefit from a grant to fund a playground improvement project, Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) announced today. The grant was awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Edgewood Borough will receive more than $50,000 which will be used to relocate and renovate the playground at Koenig Field, known as the Koenig Field Tot Lot Playground.
“For many of us, our earliest memories were made playing with friends and family at a local playground,” Costa said. “The borough should be commended for its continued focus on investing in families and their children, which are the lifeblood and future of our communities.”
The Tot Lot playground is currently located below a sewer manhole which floods during inclement weather forcing the borough to close the area to families while the playground equipment and grounds are cleaned and sanitized to avoid health risks.
“Relocating the playground would provide better access to the facilities and save critical financial and staffing resources used to repair the area after a storm,” Costa said.
While Edgewood Borough will take the lead on the playground renovations, community partners including the Edgewood Foundation have committed financial resources to the project. The support from the foundation includes providing new playground equipment and other upgrades to promote a safe and healthy environment for kids to play.
“This project is evidence that simply one organization stepping forward to address an issue can change the world,” said Costa. “The boroughs attention to this issue has brought others forward who are ready and willing to lend a hand to see this project come to fruition for our kids.”
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HARRISBURG – Nov. 28, 2012 – A local organization focused on preserving the history of the steel industry and providing for the community will soon receive state grant funds to bolster its efforts, Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today announced.
The Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation will receive $100,000 from a grant provided through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The funds will be used for projects at three locations, two of which are Allegheny County National Historic Landmarks: the Bost Building in Homestead and the Pump House in Munhall.
Costa said that the DCNR grants provide financial and technical assistance to organizations for the planning and development of park, recreation, conservation and greenway projects.
“The Pittsburgh area is well-established in our national history as a steel producing region and I am pleased to see grant funding provided to organizations that are committed to preserving that historic footprint,” Costa said. “As a result of these community projects, several of our most prominent historic structures will serve as an educational resource for surrounding communities and will help make Pennsylvania greener and more energy efficient.
According to Costa, Rivers of Steel plans to use the grant funds to install sustainable, renewable energy sources in the historic buildings in the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. These historic structures will serve as a model for other heritage sites across the state.
As part of the project, Rivers of Steel also plans to create a user-friendly bike and trail eco-center that will encourage other outdoor recreation with these historic sites.
“By creating a family-friendly environment around these historic sites, organizations like Rivers of Steel are able to create educational opportunities while promoting energy conservation and land preservation,” Costa said.
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Stresses need for continued work to protect Pennsylvania children
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement in reaction to the report of the Task Force on Child Protection. The Task Force was created by resolution of the state Senate and House of Representatives:
“The Child Protection Task Force has put together an important document and a list of recommendations that will address issues that have been ignored for too long.
“Today’s recommendations are a critical first step toward improving the laws that protect our children. I applaud the work of the task force members for opening the door to the future for our children and their families and thank them for their efforts on behalf of Pennsylvania families and their children. They have done a complete and thorough job and have taken an in- depth look at where laws can be changed.
“Protecting children is not a political, religious, educational or financial issue. It is an issue of human compassion and its one we cannot and should not ever ignore.
“We all bear the responsibility of protecting children. No matter your profession, we all have to work to ensure the health and safety of our youngest citizens. While recent child abuse cases in Pennsylvania have brought to the surface examples of where our system is broken, we must never shy away from the work it will take moving forward to fix it.
“In Pennsylvania, we are fortunate to have so many organizations working together to combat child abuse. From medical professionals, to our law enforcement partners and community organizations – such as the local Children’s Advocacy Centers – there is an already established network of support from which we need to continue building.
“Each and every one of our children should be given the opportunity to grow and learn in an environment that is safe and healthy. We need to work collectively to pave the way to the future for our children so that they can be safe and able to thrive. That should be our ultimate goal.
“One thing is for sure – the recommendations of the task force are just the beginning of the conversation. We have work to do. Our kids are counting on us.”
As many of you are already aware, there has been a great deal of public discussion about PennDOT’s plans to close or meter many of the ramps along the Parkway East. I have heard from so many of you who are concerned about this project for various reasons. Please know that I too am alarmed about the potential effects of this project, and as a result, yesterday I spoke directly with Dan Cessna, executive of PennDOT engineering to express my concerns.
The safety and security of our residents and their families remains my top priority. During our conversation, I articulated my concerns for the increased traffic in our communities where children play after school and wait for buses in the morning. Diverting additional traffic to these communities puts lives at risk with little or no benefit to the motoring public, which is clearly documented in the original report.
This additional traffic also presents an environmental hazard to the families and businesses in our residential communities, significantly increasing the amount of exhaust and fumes that directly affect the health of our residents and those visiting our communities. In my view, moving forward with a plan that would be detrimental to the health and safety of the people who have worked so hard to make our community vibrant would be short-sighted and provide little to no long-term gains.
After a lengthy conversation, I am pleased to report PennDOT has decided not to pursue the project any further. Again thank you to each of you who reached out to me to voice your thoughts and opinions about this project. Working together, we can clearly make an impact on the key issues affecting our community and continue providing for the safety of our citizens.
Click here to read the full text of Sen. Costa’s letter to Dan Cessna, executive of PennDOT engineering
Costa reelected Democratic Leader
Harrisburg, November 14, 2012 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today elected leaders for the upcoming 2013-14 legislative session, with Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) reelected for a second term as Democratic Leader.
Today’s leadership elections were held nearly one week after Democrats gained three seats in last week’s General Election, strengthening the caucus to 23 members.
“I am grateful and honored by the support of my colleagues and humbled by the trust they have placed in me to lead them forward,” Costa said. “Our momentum has never been stronger and the caucus more unified in facing the challenges in front of us.
“As we welcome three new members and welcome back caucus members who are already serving Pennsylvania, we look forward to next session with renewed energy and optimism for the future.”
Prior to being elected Democratic Leader by his colleagues, Costa served as Democratic chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He was first elected to the Senate in 1996 and previously served as Allegheny County Register of Wills (1992-96) and Deputy Sheriff (1984-89).
Other Democratic senators elected to leadership today were:
Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Phila./Delaware) was reelected Senate Democratic whip. Williams joined the Senate in 1998. He began his career in public service at the age of 31, first winning office as a state representative.
“As caucus members and Pennsylvania residents, we recognize the depth and breadth of the issues facing us during the next legislative session,” Williams said. “I look forward to having meaningful discussions with my colleagues and bringing members together as we work towards solutions that will move Pennsylvania forward.”
Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) was again elected Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee chair. Hughes has served in the state legislature since 1987. He was elected to the Senate in 1994 and also previously served as Democratic Caucus chairman.
“We’ve worked hard over the last two years to make progress and deliver positive results amid a challenging political landscape,” Hughes said. “With increased strength in the caucus, we can continue to focus on job creation and finding solutions to education funding issues that will help Pennsylvania families and their children.”
Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Fayette/Somerset) was reelected caucus chairman. Kasunic was elected to the Senate in November 1994 but also served as a member of the state House of Representatives.
“Working with the members of the caucus we’ll continue to address the issues that are impacting the lives of families and business owners,” Kasunic said. “In the next session, Senate Democrats will remain focused on improving the lives of working Pennsylvanians and paving a solid, sustainable path for the next generation.”
Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) will again serve as Democratic Caucus secretary. She was elected to the Senate in 1994. Prior to her election to the Senate, the Philadelphia Democrat served as business representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.
“We’re energized moving into next session,” Tartaglione said. “With the gain of three additional members, our voice will be stronger as we work together on the programs and initiatives that will help grow jobs and increase training opportunities for working Pennsylvanians.”
Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh/Monroe) was reelected to the leadership team as Democratic Policy Committee chair. Boscola was first elected to the state House in 1994. She was elected to the Senate in 1998.
Boscola’s Democratic Policy Committee has been very active during the last session, holding public hearings on a wide range of issues in many locales across Pennsylvania.
Boscola said that she is “looking forward to next session because we can continue concentrating our efforts on making Pennsylvania a place where families and businesses alike come to grow and thrive for years to come. “
Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) is also returning as a member of the Senate Democratic Leadership. Fontana will serve as Caucus administrator for the 2013-14 session.
Fontana was first elected to the Senate in a special election in May 2005 and was reelected to full terms in 2006 and 2010.
“We have a great many challenges that we must meet in the upcoming session and I am pleased to be in a leadership position with the caucus,” Fontana said. “We have to work hard to ensure that priorities such as job creation, education and environmental protection are addressed.
“We need to have focus and be prepared to move aggressively in solving problems and we can do that if we work hard and look for common ground.”
Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny/Armstrong/Westmoreland) will also be returning as vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Ferlo was first elected to the Senate in 2002 and is a former Pittsburgh City Council member.
“I am happy to welcome three new members to the Senate Democratic Caucus and I congratulate my leadership team for their reelection for the next session,” Ferlo said.
The new session of the General Assembly begins in January.
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Today we come together to honor our veterans — those who have served, those still serving on our behalf at home and abroad and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Our veterans have helped to define who we are as a nation and what we stand for in the name of freedom. Never have they swayed from their call to service, even in the face of adversity and uncertainty. As Americans, we owe them a debt of gratitude, of which we will never fully repay. It is my hope that today and every day, Pennsylvanians will strive to exude the courage and strength that each of these men and women have so selflessly displayed and commit to guard the honor and respect for their service long after their time in uniform has passed.
It is because of their dedication and extraordinary commitment to this country and the pursuit of freedom, that we all can enjoy the opportunities afforded to us by this great nation. May God continue to bless our veterans, their families and grant them continued safety and health until they return home to their families once again.
