May 5, 2022 – Senator Jay Costa, State Senate Democratic Leader, and Senator Vincent Hughes, Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statements in response to Governor Wolf’s announcement on historic state revenues in April and the 2022 fiscal year.
While State Republicans have expressed disinterest in using excess budget to fund tax cuts and education funding, saying they’d prefer to put the money in the commonwealth’s Rainy Day Fund, Sen. Costa and Sen. Hughes are calling for historic investments to help PA families and address issues Republicans have ignored for far too long.
Senator Jay Costa:
“Pennsylvania has $2.8 billion sitting in the Rainy Day Fund and $2.2 billion in unspent American Rescue Plan funds sitting in the State Treasury. And by June 30, it’s estimated that we will have almost $9 billion in extra revenue on hand. That’s billions of dollars that can be used to make generational investments in education that could allow local school districts to lower property taxes and a cut to the Corporate Net Income Tax to bolster businesses.
I hear my Republican colleagues say it would be fiscally irresponsible to use this money to better the lives of Pennsylvanians. They’ve said these funds would be better saved for a rainy day. That’s not entirely true- Republicans are laying out a false choice. We can do both! We can use the surplus budget to better schools for both students and teachers. We can use these extra funds to cut taxes for businesses, making it more viable for companies to thrive in the commonwealth and attractive for both large and small businesses to set up shop in Pennsylvania. We can put the money we have, right now, into the pockets of Pennsylvanians. We can spend a portion of the money for these investments and still have billions for the Rainy Day Fund.
As we start to enter budget negotiations, I’d ask state Republicans to explain why we wouldn’t take advantage of this win-win scenario. In my opinion, we can’t afford not to.”
Senator Vincent Hughes:
“We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in Pennsylvania and put money back into the pockets of taxpayers.
I’ve looked at current revenue, projections for the rest of the year, and forecasts for years to come, and I’m energized about the strong financial foundation we’ve built. I’m excited to see Pennsylvania have such a strong financial footing, but I’m more excited to have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of Pennsylvanians. We have billions already in our Rainy Day Fund and billions available to invest in toxic schools, cut school property tax, fund anti-violence programs, cut business taxes, make investments in higher education and efforts to cut student loan debt, build more housing to increase inventory and lower overall home costs, and put $2,000 in people’s pockets. There are so many possibilities!
One of our biggest responsibilities as lawmakers is to use taxpayer money wisely and to the benefit of the taxpayers. Yet, budget negotiations haven’t even started yet and I’m hearing from Republicans it would be irresponsible to invest this money in the people. How about: it’s irresponsible to hoard the money.
The beauty of our current fiscal situation is we can make investments that will have real effects on the lives of Pennsylvanians and maintain a strong Rainy Day fund. We can do both! Let’s not play politics at a time when there are so many ways we can impact our taxpayers, our hardworking constituents who deserve to be priority number one as we negotiate next year’s budget.
To my Republican colleagues, this does not need to be a bipartisan issue. Let’s agree to put the people first and responsibly allocate funds. We can do both, all we need are willing partners.”
Total General Fund collections for this fiscal year so far come to $40.7 billion for the Commonwealth, which is 12.4% percent higher than projected. In addition, Pennsylvania revenue collections have met or exceeded estimates for 15 months in a row. And over the past seven years, revenues have grown steadily by $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion a year. Forecasts from nationally recognized economic forecasting firms Moody’s Analytics and HIS Markit project continued, steady revenue growth for the commonwealth over the coming years.
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In the past six months, Senator Costa has brought nearly $8 million to the community
Pittsburgh, Pa. − April 22, 2022 − Senator Jay Costa today announced the award of nearly $5 million in state grants for the Wilkinsburg community, adding to the major investments he has advocated for in the past six months.
“Today’s grants are a continuation of the investment I have prioritized for the Wilkinsburg community,” said Senator Costa. “The combination of state resources we have allocated along with private sector funding has made Wilkinsburg a desirable place to live and do business. We can all take pride in these projects and the cooperation it has taken to revitalize this community. Nonprofits and developers have recognized the progress we have made here and we can continue to look forward to strong investment from a variety of partners.”
The projects funded today are part of the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a state grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
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.
The grants announced today include:
- $1.75 million for the conversion of an old Texaco gas station on Ardmore Boulevard into a multi-story commercial space with outdoor seating and significant new landscaping.
- $1.5 million of continued investment in the Hunter Building for refurbishing this space that serves as an entry to the business district of Wilkinsburg
- $1.25 million to Wilkinsburg Townhome Development for the construction of 14 townhouses. These units will have 2 and 3 bedrooms, basements and garages.
- $500,000 for the Pleasant Bell Building to construct a mid-rise, mixed use structure to replace an empty lot. It will include tech space, housing units and four storefronts for retail and services
- $300,000 as the final installment of state investment in the Wilkinsburg Train Station
“With the increased interest surrounding Wilkinsburg, these investments will be crucial to the current infrastructure and future of the Borough,” said Representative elect Martell Covington. “I am excited to support this continued momentum and revitalization efforts along with Senator Costa.”
The grants announced today will be matched with private dollars and are in addition to millions previously awarded to Wilkinsburg by the state in its rehabilitation efforts.
Earlier this April, Senator Costa supported a $700,000 grant for 1009 Wood Street in the Community Revitalization Fund Program from PHFA for the reactivation of this long-vacant and underutilized building in the heart of Wilkinsburg into two story, mixed use buildings with 10 commercial storefronts.
Late last year, Senator Costa secured $1 million for Hosana House, funded by RACP, to develop 24,000 square feet of commercial space with new storefronts and move-in ready business space. Additionally, he successfully advocated for nearly $650,000 in multi modal grants for three projects in Wilkinsburg: $143,312 for the 1009 Wood Street Development, $250,000 for the Whitney Avenue Transportation improvements and $250,000 for a sewer rehabilitation project on Ardmore Boulevard.
Pittsburgh, Pa. − April 22, 2022 − Senator Jay Costa today announced the award of $4 million in state grants for projects in Swissvale.
“Public services in Swissvale are going to see major upgrades in the coming months thanks to these grants we secured today,” said Senator Costa. “Libraries are a local treasure and I’m always happy to support the strong library system we have in this region; further, I’m excited to watch the redevelopment of Swissvale’s municipal building and how it will better serve our constituents.”
The historic Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale will receive $1.5 million to rehabilitate the library, including improvements to the original building and construction of a new 2 story addition that will house an elevator, stairway, along with an entrance plaza – all ADA compliant.
The Borough of Swissvale will receive $2.5 million to construct a new municipal building that will house the police department, borough administration, council chambers and a community gathering area. They will use this grant to demolish the existing building and build the new.
The projects funded today are part of the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a state grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
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.
Pittsburgh, Pa. − April 21, 2022 − Senator Jay Costa today announced the award of more than $1.75 million in state grant funding for the development of multi modal transportation along Sylvan Avenue in the City of Pittsburgh.
$1.76 million has been awarded through PennDOT to reopen a portion of Sylvan Avenue to pedestrian and bicycle traffic as a public trail parallel to SR 885 that will connect the Hazelwood and Greenfield neighborhoods to job centers in Oakland.
“Whether you’re in a car, on a bike or on foot, the City of Pittsburgh must be safe and accessible,” said Senator Costa. “Adding safe spaces for bikers and walkers is critical to ensure that we can all get around this City, particularly on the roads that take folks from home to work every day.”
This grant is part of the Multimodal Transportation Fund, created by Act 89 of 2013.
PennDOT evaluated the applications and made selections based on such criteria as safety benefits, regional economic conditions, the technical and financial feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency, and operational sustainability.
Additionally, PennDOT anticipates accepting Multimodal Transportation Fund applications in fall 2022 for Fiscal Year 2023-24 funding. For more information about the program, visit www.penndot.pa.gov and click on Multimodal Program under the “Projects & Programs” button.
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PITTSBURGH, April 14, 2022 – State Rep. Dan Frankel and Sen. Jay Costa today announced the awarding of more than $500,000 in state safety and security grants to a dozen local religious nonprofits, even as they continue their fight to strengthen Pennsylvania’s anti-hate crime laws, expand civil rights and protect at-risk groups through public police.
“This community knows all too well the violence and devastation of hate crimes, and it’s a top priority of mine in the legislature to prevent those crimes,” said Sen. Costa. “I will continue to advocate for the funds to protect our local facilities that could become the next target. While I’m happy to announce today’s grants with Representative Frankel, I would be remiss if I did not also mention that we have introduced legislation that would empower law enforcement with additional tools to track hate groups and prevent violence. We await hearings in the state legislature on those bills.”
Across Allegheny County, more than 20 religious nonprofits were awarded grants totaling more than $1.1 million. The grants were made possible by a bipartisan agreement to extend Act 83 of 2019, legislation championed by both lawmakers in the wake of the Squirrel Hill synagogue attack in 2018, using funding from the American Rescue Plan. This is the third year grants from the program have been disbursed.
“Our houses of faith are integral to a vibrant, diverse and loving Pittsburgh community. With this funding, the state of Pennsylvania acknowledges both the vital role that these organizations play and the dangers of today’s world,” Frankel said. “These places are the centers of their communities, places of peace, of hope, of friendship. No one should ever have to be afraid to step through their doors.”
Grant recipients can use the funds for security enhancements designed to protect the safety of the users of the facility that is owned and operated by the nonprofit organization. These include safety and security planning, purchase of security equipment, safety and security training, and other safety-related projects.
Priority for funding was given to organizations that indicated their organization and/or membership was the victim of a hate crime, that received credible hate-crime threats, or that serves a population susceptible to hate crimes, which includes people of certain race/ethnicity/ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender and gender identity.
Grantees locally included
Chabad of Carnegie Mellon University, Inc.
Jewish Residential Services, Inc.
Chabad of Squirrel Hill Inc.
Yeshivath Achei Tmimim of Pittsburgh.
Lubavitch Center.
Congregation Dor Hadash.
Hillel Jewish University Center.
Chabad Young Professionals Inc.
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh.
Rodef Shalom Congregation.
Tzohar Seminary.
Temple Sinai.
Harrisburg, PA – March 16, 2022 – Today, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the bipartisan maps for state legislative districts drawn by the Legislative Redistricting Commission and scheduled the petition period for the May primary; the maps that passed the commission in February will be those used on the ballot this year.
“I’m pleased with this ruling because not only were these maps fair, reasonable and supported in a bipartisan way, today’s decision means we can proceed with our election calendar and folks can begin preparation to run for office or learn who their potential representatives will be,” said Senate Democratic Leader and LRC member Jay Costa said. “I supported this map because I believe it is representative and gives Pennsylvanians a fair voice in their state government, and I’m excited to see the electoral process begin this year.”
The Supreme Court decision lays out a timeline for the 2022 election, as the previously scheduled petition period has already passed.
Candidates for the General Assembly may circulate petitions in the districts they live in beginning March 18 and ending March 28.
The primary election will be held as previously scheduled on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
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