PITTSBURGH, PA – May 21, 2025 – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $129,043 in Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) grant money benefiting the 43rd senatorial district. This program, administered by the Department of Agriculture, helps ensure that low-income households have access to locally-grown produce.
“Supporting our local farmers and supporting our working families in one fell swoop is a win-win for our entire community,” said Senator Costa. “Programs like FFFI are excellent examples of government working well for constituents both across Pennsylvania and specifically within Allegheny County. I look forward to seeing these dollars go towards programs that uplift family farms and put good, healthful food on tables all over the 43rd district.”
Grow Pittsburgh was awarded $100,000 for their project, Garden Dreams Community Agriculture Hub. Grow Pittsburgh’s Community Agriculture Hub at Garden Dreams will complete its final phase of development, addressing food insecurity and expanding access to fresh, healthy food in distressed communities. The project will include a new wash and pack workspace, cold storage, educational facilities, and community gathering spaces, serving as a resource for urban growers, youth workforce development, and food distribution. This hub will empower local residents by providing hands-on training, fostering economic opportunities, and promoting sustainability, while improving access to fresh produce and strengthening the regional food system.
Lettuce Turnip the Beet SC was awarded $29,043 for their project, Native Nosh Market & Kitchen/Unified Fields Butcher Shop and Apprentice Program. Native Nosh Market & Kitchen, a woman-operated, mission-driven food market and community kitchen in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood, seeks funding to establish a space that fosters local food access, sustainability, and economic opportunity. Slated to open in Spring 2026, the market will feature an on-site butcher shop, a meat cutter apprentice program, and a low-cost community kitchen for preparing fresh meals, supporting local food producers, and offering job training while prioritizing minority and women-owned businesses.
Learn more about the Fresh Food Financing Initiative and this year’s awardees here.
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – May 20, 2025 − Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $376,995 in Solar for Schools Grant money benefiting the 43rd senatorial district.
“Today’s Solar for Schools grant announcement is cause for much celebration,” said Senator Costa. “I am delighted that the two awardees are now one step closer to installing green, renewable energy systems and demonstrating to our students the enormous benefits of solar energy on an entire school community. I am deeply grateful to Representative Liz Fiedler for her tireless work on this program, and I look forward to seeing these dollars to go work right here in the 43rd district.”
The awardees are as follows:
- Carrick High School was awarded $300,000
- Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship was awarded $76,995
The Solar for Schools Grant Program is established pursuant to the act of Jul 17, 2024 (P.L.813, No. 68) known as the Solar for Schools Act. This program seeks to reduce the cost of implementing solar energy systems into schools across the Commonwealth. In order to accomplish this goal, the Department of Community and Economic Development has established a grant program that school districts, intermediate units, charter schools including cyber, regional, and a school for education of the deaf or the blind, area career and technical schools, specific trade and technical schools, and community colleges can use to fund solar energy projects. These grants will aid in the purchase and installation of equipment, permit fees, energy storage, and utility interconnection.
Learn more about the Lightning Plan and its investments in green energy production here.
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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PHILADELPHIA, PA − May 14, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to examine ways to protect Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and economy with a skilled, protected, and reliable workforce.
“The testimony we heard today from stakeholders sends a clear message: we must enact strong, effective policies to protect workers and ensure their safety,” said Senator Miller. “Senator Kane, along with Senators Tartaglione, L. Williams, and Robinson, are actively developing legislation to strengthen Pennsylvania’s Construction Workplace Misclassification Act. I look forward to supporting and advocating to protecting our workers and ensure fairness across our Commonwealth.”
“I’m really thankful for having this conversation in this location, a union house built by union people,” said Senator Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair. “Let’s go forward and make delivering more worker protections a reality.”
“We’re here because every worker in Pennsylvania deserves fair treatment, fair pay, and safe conditions—plain and simple,” said Senator Tartaglione. “I’ve spent my career fighting for these values, and I’m proud to stand with colleagues like Senator Miller as we push forward on legislation that reflects what workers have told us they need. With this momentum and the growing unity around these issues, I truly believe we can deliver real, lasting change.”
“Worker misclassification costs Pennsylvania taxpayers more than $141 million annually, but the human toll is even more devastating,” said Senator Kane. “This illegal practice strips hardworking Pennsylvania’s of basic protections like workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, and sick pay. These are real families who are struggling to make ends meet when these fundamental protections are denied. With SB 72, we have a real opportunity to crack down on these unfair practices and ensure Pennsylvania workers receive the pay, benefits, and respect they’ve earned. In addition to the harm to construction workers, our taxpayers are getting ripped off. It has to stop, and I won’t stop fighting until we get this done.”
“Worker safety is community safety. Across industries, workers are exposed to risks and hazards that are preventable—from bosses who steal wages through misclassification to the denial of collective rights when a business engages in union-busting,” said Senator Saval. “Drawing on Pennsylvania’s history of strong workplace protections, we can and must enshrine safety mechanisms to empower all workers, on and off the job.”
“Organizing is a fundamental responsibility in protecting workers and ensuring accountability to the taxpayers who support them,” said Senator Street. “It was great to hear testimony from the administration and frontline stakeholders who advocate for workers’ rights every day.”
Christopher Hallock, Deputy Secretary from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, testified that this is more than a worker’s issue.
“When employers misclassify workers, law-abiding businesses suffer because they are forced to compete in the marketplace on unequal terms against employers that are avoiding payroll tax contributions, unemployment compensation taxes, workers’ compensation insurance premiums, or paying overtime,” said Hallock. “Communities also suffer by not receiving the full amount of tax revenue they are owed. This means that parks, schools, and police and fire departments are all negatively impacted by misclassification, alongside further strain being placed on the healthcare system.”
Michael Ford, Secretary/Treasurer for the State Building Trades that represents 130,000 construction workers in the Commonwealth stated how this issue is affecting publicly funded jobsites.
“Contractors who break the rules by underpaying workers can underbid law-abiding companies,” said Ford. “This creates a race to the bottom, discouraging fair competition and driving down standards across the construction industry. This does nothing to help anyone in the process, except the bad actors who are reaping the benefits of underpaying their employees.”
Ed Dupree, an 8-year employee of Whole Foods and member of UFCW Local 1776, emphasized the importance of organizing a union.
“This hearing is about protecting our workers, and I can’t think of any better protection workers can have than forming a union,” said Dupree. “A union means a voice in the workplace. A union means a seat at the table. And my co-workers and I made a historic step when we were the first group of workers in the nation to successfully vote to unionize at an Amazon Whole Foods location on January 27, 2025.”
Dionne Gary, President of AFSCME District 1199C, NUHHCE, and the first Black woman to lead her union representing healthcare and childcare professionals in Philadelphia, testified in support of legislation, including House Bills 308, 812, 926, and 956, aimed at protecting the workforce.
“As someone who began organizing in 2000 at Hahnemann Hospital, and who’s stood beside workers in arbitration rooms, contract fights, and hospital hallways, I can tell you— these bills are not theoretical,” said Gary. “They are desperately needed, right now, in facilities across this state.”
The panelists for today’s hearing included:
- Chris Hallock, Deputy Secretary – Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
- Ron Meischker, Director of Industry & Labor Compliance – Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
- Thomas Lepera, Political Director – IBEW Local 98
- Joseph McMonigle, Business Agent – Plumber’s Local Union Local 690
- Tony Seiwell, International Representative – LIUNA
- Mike Ford, Secretary-Treasurer – Pennsylvania State Building & Construction Trades Council
- Bryan Bush, President/Business Manager – Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19
- Todd Farally, Political and Legislative Director – Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19
- Antione Little, Vice President – AFSCME District Council 33
- Ed Dupree, Member – UFCW 1776
- Dionee Gary, President – AFSCME District 1199C, NUHHCE
Senator Nick Miller was elected Policy Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus in December 2024. Today’s hearing was his sixth as Chair.
Testimony
Panel 1: Governor Shapiro’s Administration on the Current State of Affairs
- Chris Hallock, Deputy Secretary – Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Panel 2: Construction Worker Misclassification & Custom Fabrication
- Ron Meischker, Director of Industry & Labor Compliance – Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
- Thomas Lepera, Political Director – IBEW Local 98
- Joseph McMonigle, Business Agent – Plumber’s Local Union Local 690
- Tony Seiwell, International Representative – LIUNA
- Mike Ford, Secretary-Treasurer – Pennsylvania State Building & Construction Trades Council
- Bryan Bush, President/Business Manager – Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19
- Todd Farally, Political and Legislative Director – Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 19
Panel 3: Workplace Safety
Additional Testimony
PITTSBURGH, PA – May 14, 2025 – Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 500, a critical part of Governor Shapiro’s Lightning Plan which updates the Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) Tax Credit Program to bring next-generation energy, fuel, and dairy development to Pennsylvania. That bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
With a looming budget deadline of June 30, Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Senator Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny), who circulated a co-sponsorship memo for the Senate version of the PA EDGE Tax Credit Program, are calling for swift, good-faith discussions about how to lower energy costs for Pennsylvania’s consumers.
“As families face the prospect of higher prices for goods, food, and services, the time for a bold, visionary plan for energy in Pennsylvania is now,” said Sen. Costa. “The EDGE Tax Credit is a key pillar for uplifting our commonwealth’s working families. I will continue to champion the Lightning Plan in order to shore up our energy market and modernize tax credit programs. Let’s get this done.”
“Our plan to revamp the EDGE Program is about delivering real relief to working families across Pennsylvania,” said Sen. Pisciottano. “By lowering energy costs, creating high-wage jobs, and investing in the industries of the future, we’re making smart, targeted changes that put Pennsylvanians first and ensure our economy stays competitive for the long haul.”
Learn more about the Senate Democrats’ commitment to affordable energy for every Pennsylvanian here.
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HARRISBURG, PA – May 13, 2025 – Today, members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Arts and Culture Caucus and Pennsylvania artists gathered at the capitol in celebration of “Arts Advocacy Day.”
“As a lifelong lover of the arts, I am always delighted to join fellow enthusiasts and advocates to bring attention to the importance of investing in the arts,” said Sen. Jay Costa (D-43). “I will continue to raise my voice in support of the social, economic, educational, and cultural benefits of a vibrant arts community in Pennsylvania.”
Senator Costa and the other members of the bipartisan, bicameral caucus expressed their support to – Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32), Rep. R. Lee James (R-64) and Rep. Joe Ciresi (D-146) – joined advocates in calling for continued investments in arts and culture funding in order to boost local economies, tourism, and downtown revitalization.
“The arts are more than a cultural asset, they’re a economic propeller,” Stefano said. “From driving tourism and supporting small businesses, to inspiring young minds, the arts have measurable returns on investment. When we support the arts, we are strengthening Pennsylvania’s economy.”
Following the noon press conference, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre principal dancers Tommie Lin Kesten and Colin McCaslin performed segments of “The Nutcracker “and “Emeralds” in the capitol’s East Wing Rotunda. Currently, the two dancers are respectively starring as Dorothy and the Tin Man in the Ballet Theatre’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
“The arts do so much for our present and future economy,” James said. “Through inspiration and creativity, art takes on a life of its own where artists can reach new heights in storytelling and visualization. I will support local organizations, and I thank them for their positive contributions to Pennsylvania.”
The non-profit advocacy group, Creative Pennsylvania – formerly known as Citizens for the Arts – served as a key organizational force in the day’s events. Supporting their mission to build a more inspired, connected and culturally rich Pennsylvania, Creative Pennsylvania brought in advocates from across the commonwealth to meet with legislators about the importance of supporting the arts.
More information about the caucus is available at PAArtsCultureCaucus.com.
Downloadable video footage of today’s press conference and ballet performance, along with still photos, are available upon request.
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Philadelphia, PA − April 23, 2025 − On Tuesday, April 22nd, Senator Vincent Hughes hosted an intergovernmental roundtable with federal, state, and local lawmakers and healthcare leaders from across Pennsylvania. The goal was to bring a variety of stakeholders together to discuss what federal healthcare cuts could mean for Pennsylvania’s entire healthcare ecosystem and the people who rely on health benefits from Medicaid, CHIP, Pennie, and provisions in the Affordable Care Act that have made healthcare more accessible and affordable.
“It’s important for this group to affirm the magnitude of these potential cuts,” said Senator Hughes. “These cuts threaten access to quality healthcare and coverage, but they also threaten the well-being of our hospital systems, our nursing homes, and our healthcare workers. We need the public to understand that our healthcare system is extremely interconnected. If congressional Republicans move forward with $880 billion in cuts, our entire healthcare and health insurance system will feel it.”
In Pennsylvania, over 3 million residents, or 23% of the Commonwealth’s population rely on Medicaid or CHIP for health insurance. 39% of all Pennsylvania children are enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. Roundtable participants stressed the huge financial gap Pennsylvania will have to grapple with if federal lawmakers decide to cut health benefits.
Senator Jay Costa explained, “The argument coming out of Washington is that they’re not going to cut Medicaid, they’re just modifying eligibility. They say that’s not a benefit cut, but at the end of the day those are reductions. It will then be up to the states to make hard decisions about how to respond to the loss of federal dollars and coverage.”
Several roundtable participants noted that federal cuts will also hurt local economies. DHS c said, “For all of us, but for rural communities in particular, hospitals are often the foundation of a community’s economic viability, health, and strength. And when a hospital closes, that’s often the largest employer in the community.”
“Who’s impacted by these cuts? Everyone, everyone will be impacted,” said Dr. Ala Stanford, founder of the Black Doctors Consortium, professor at University of Pennsylvania, and former HHS Regional Director.
The group of over 25 lawmakers and leaders agreed that now is the time to be reaching out to both Republican and Democrat lawmakers in Washington to make the case for how catastrophic healthcare cuts could be. Laura Guerra, Congressman Evans’ Healthcare Legislative Assistant, noted that language about what specifically will be cut could surface around the end of May.
The intergovernmental roundtable was hosted at the University City Science Center, located in Senator Hughes’ district. A video of the roundtable is available online.
Roundtable participants included:
Federal Lawmakers
- Congressman Dwight Evans
- Joined by Laura Guerra, Healthcare Legislative Assistant
- Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon
State Lawmakers
- Senator Jay Costa, Senate Democratic Leader
- Senator Vincent Hughes, Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair
- Senator Maria Collett, Chair of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee
- Senator Sharif Street, Chair of the Banking and Insurance Committee
- Office of House Speaker Joanna McClinton
- Represented by Hans Van Mol, District Office Director, Office of House Speaker Joanna McClinton
State Appointed Leaders
- Dr. Val Arkoosh, MD, MPH, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
- Michael Humphreys, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department
- Jason Kavulich, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging
- Devon Trolley, Executive Director of Pennie
City Lawmakers and Leaders
- Councilmember Nina Ahmad, Chair of the Public Health and Human Services Committee
- Office of Councilmember Jaime Gauthier, District 3 and Chair of Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless
- Represented by Mariya Khandros, Chief of Staff
Healthcare Leaders and Advocates
- Roy Afflerbach, Government Affairs, Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging (P4A)
- Donna Bailey, CEO of Community Behavioral Health
- Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, Professor, Clinical Family Medicine & Community Health, Perelman School of Medicine
- Peter Grollman, Senior Vice President, External Affairs, Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania
- Krista Hoglund, President, Jefferson Health Plans
- Emily Katz, Executive Director, PA Medicaid Managed Care Organizations
- Ali Kronley, Vice President and Director of United Homecare Workers of Pennsylvania, SEIU
- Katherine Levins, Vice President of Public Policy & Government Affairs, Temple Health
- Garry Pezzano, President and CEO, LeadingAge PA
- Bill Ryan, Senior Lobbyist, Saxton and Stump
- Zach Shamberg, President and CEO, PA Health Care Association
- Dr. Ala Stanford, Founder of the Black Doctors Consortium, Professor at University of Pennsylvania, Former HHS Regional Director
- David Wilson, Vice President of Government and Community Relations, Drexel Health
- Tiffany Wilson, CEO of University City Science Center
