Harrisburg, Pa. − April 19, 2021 − Following the bipartisan passage of House Bill 951, the statutory creation of a two-year window for sexual abuse survivors to sue their abusers, the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats urged the majority to bring the bill up for a vote in the PA Senate this month.
“There are 20 votes in the Senate Democratic Caucus for HB 951 and we are ready to take that vote upon our return to session this month,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. “If this bill is sent to the Senate floor, I believe there are the votes to pass it. Even a top member of Senate Republican leadership has told survivors that they would support the statutory window. We only need a vote on the Senate floor to provide the justice and relief these victims deserve.”
HB951 passed the PA House on Wednesday, by a wide, bipartisan margin: 149 to 52.
“Survivors of abuse have been begging us for this short window to justice since that devastating grand jury report was released in 2018, and we were all prepared to vote on a constitutional window earlier this year. Nothing has changed and the substance of this bill is the same,” continued Costa. “The House has sent us a bill that the Governor has stated he would sign. The only thing between victims and justice are the Senate Republicans. We are pleading with them to get out of the way.”
In addition to HB951, Senate Democrats have introduced and supported several bills to provide immediate justice to survivors of sexual abuse and prevent this crisis again, including:
- Senate Bill 406 – which would amend Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to:
- Eliminate the criminal and civil statute of limitation for sexual abuse, assault and misconduct for all survivors, regardless of age,
- Provide a 2 year civil window to revive previously expired SOL claims with a 6-month delay, and
- Prohibit non disclosure agreements that would otherwise prevent an adult survivor to report.
- Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus introduced similar legislation in 2019 as SB540, which never received a vote.
- Senate Bill 407 – A Senate version of HB 951, the legislative civil window to justice
- An emergency constitutional amendment that would have gotten a 2 year window onto the ballot for the May 2021 primary
“We have legislative solutions, we have session days to vote on them, to deny victims justice yet again would be a gross failing of the majority party in the PA Senate,” said Senator Costa. “Finally, passage of this statutory window for these claims would do nothing to imperil or restrict the consideration and adoption of a constitutional amendment in the normal prescribed course.”
“Survivors have waited, in some cases, decades for justice. We can’t ask them to wait any longer,” Costa said.
The PA Senate returns to session on April 19.
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HARRISBURG − March 29, 2021 − The four caucus floor leaders – Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward (R-38), House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-171), Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-43), and House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton (D-191) — today announced that they are seeking applications from individuals interested in serving as the chair of the 2021 Legislative Reapportionment Commission (LRC).
The LRC is a five-member panel responsible for redrawing the boundaries for state Senate and state House districts. Article II, Section 17, of the state constitution names the four caucus floor leaders as members of the Commission. They are to choose a fifth member, who serves as chair of the LRC.
The constitution requires that the chair of the LRC be a citizen of Pennsylvania who does not hold a local, state or federal office to which compensation is attached.
“Redistricting is a once-a-decade exercise, and among the most important issues we will address in 2021. I am committed to upholding the rights of the people by ensuring an open, fair, and transparent redistricting process,” said Sen. Kim Ward. “A public search for someone to chair the Commission is the first step in making that happen.”
“As a member of the Legislative Reapportionment Commission, I am committed to fair, open, and legal process,” said Rep. Benninghoff. ” The person who we select as chair should seek be a neutral arbiter who holds those same values and commitments.”
“It’s an honor to serve on this commission and to begin this important process, we must find another member who is committed to equity and transparency,” said Sen. Costa. “I look forward to recruiting a chairperson who will work tirelessly to ensure we draw maps that provide fair representation for the decade to come.”
“The people are the ones responsible for choosing their elected representatives, not the other way around,” said Rep. McClinton. “As a member of this commission, I’m seeking a chairperson who shares my commitment to ensure that power remains in the hands of voters.”
The floor leaders, who were officially certified as members of the LRC on March 16, 2021, said they expect to hold one or more public meetings to interview applicants.
State legislative districts must be redrawn to reflect population changes over the past decade as measured by the federal census. Each Senate district and each House district must conform to the one person, one vote standard established by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1964 (Reynolds v. Sims).
Interested individuals must be willing to serve, uninterrupted, for the entire timeframe required for the Commission to complete its work. Although serving as chair of the LRC is not necessarily a full-time commitment, it does require a significant investment of time. Historically, the chair of the LRC has been provided with a small staff for the duration of the Commission’s work.
Previous LRC chairs include former Superior Court Judge Stephen J. McEwen, Jr., in 2011, former Supreme Court Justice Frank J. Montemuro, Jr., in 2001, attorney Robert J. Cindrich in 1991, James O. Freedman, Dean of the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1981, Professor A. Leo Levin of the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1971.
Applicants should send a resume or curriculum vitae, along with a letter explaining their qualifications to serve as chair of the Commission and their reasons for being interested in the position, to:
Legislative Reapportionment Commission
c/o Brent McClintock, Executive Director
Legislative Data Processing Center
Senate Box 64, Main Capitol Building,
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Submissions can also be sent via email to lrc@redistricting.state.pa.us. Applications must be received no later than Friday, April 9, 2021.
The leaders indicated that, in addition to those who apply via this process, other qualified individuals may also be considered to chair the Commission. If the floor leaders do not reach agreement on an individual to serve as chair of the LRC, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will make the appointment.
For more information on the redistricting process, please visit https://www.redistricting.state.pa.us/. The newly redesigned website provides easy access on all mobile devices, an option to receive email alerts and updates, access to Census shapefiles and Summary Files, and Congressional and Legislative Plans, Maps and GIS data for download.
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CONTACT (Sen. Ward): Erica Clayton Wright, ewright@pasen.gov, (717) 787-6063
CONTACT (Rep. Benninghoff): Jason Gottesman, jgottesman@pahousegop.com, (717) 783-1918
CONTACT (Sen. Costa): Brittany Crampsie, bcrampsie@pasenate.com, (717) 787-7683
CONTACT (Rep. McClinton): Bill Patton, bpatton@pahouse.net, (717) 772-9850
Harrisburg, Pa. − March 22, 2021 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa responded to the statement from Senate Republicans indicating that an emergency constitutional amendment to provide a window for justice for survivors of sexual abuse will not be voted in the Senate chamber.
“We strongly disagree with the Senate Republicans conclusion that securing justice for the survivors of sexual abuse is not an emergency, and I am disappointed to see that they are willing to delay justice over a clerical mistake.
If the Republican concern is constitutionality of an emergency amendment, we should proceed with a bill that creates a window to justice statutorily – rather than through the constitutional amendment process. Senate Democrats have introduced such a bill for two consecutive sessions; this session the bill is introduced as Senate Bill 407.
Further, we are able to add language to that legislation that would expedite any legal challenge immediately to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court – still guaranteeing a resolution for survivors much faster than beginning again with the two-plus year process for a constitutional amendment.
If Republicans are unwilling to vote on an emergency constitutional amendment, we have no choice but to enact a statutory two-year window with expedited jurisdiction to the PA Supreme Court.
It was due to no fault of survivors that the constitutional amendment was not properly advertised, and they should not be made to suffer further because of administrative error.
The window to justice constitutional amendment passed with majority support in two consecutive sessions. It has been vetted. We have approved it. We must act to get this on the ballot in May – as it was intended, or immediately signed into law. There’s no more time to lose.
An analysis of nearly 200 independent studies involving more than 230,000 adult participants finds that having been sexually assaulted is associated with significantly increased risk of anxiety, depression, suicidality, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, obsessive-compulsive disorder and bipolar disorder.
Securing justice for survivors is an emergency; they cannot wait any longer.”
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Harrisburg, PA − March 16, 2021 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa was today named to the legislative reapportionment committee for the 2021 redistricting. The Constitution provides that the leader of each of the four legislative caucuses serves on the committee.
“It’s my honor to be named to serve on this committee. Drawing legislative districts that will determine representation of our citizens for the next decade is not a responsibility I take lightly,” said Senator Costa. “I am committed to being part of a transparent process and it’s critical that the public is informed and engaged here.”
Senator Costa served on the reapportionment committee in 2011 as well.
“Ten years ago when we undertook this process, I thought the original maps pushed by the Republican majorities were unfair and I fought them all the way to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court where we were ultimately successful,” said Senator Costa. “I’m again going to champion fair maps and oppose any gerrymander designed to protect any one political party. Redistricting is about ensuring your representation, not anyone’s reelection.”
During the next 45 days, the committee will begin to consider applications for the position of Chair of the committee – the 5th and final member of the group. In the coming weeks, the committee will begin traveling the state to solicit feedback from stakeholders and citizens.
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Pittsburgh, Pa. – March 10, 2021 − Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa thanked members of Congress today for their affirmative votes on the American Rescue Plan, a COVID relief bill that provides $1.9 trillion in funding.
“COVID-19 has been a long, dark tunnel and we are starting to see light at the end of it,” said Senator Costa. “As more and more folks are vaccinated against this virus, funds will now flow to our communities and aid their recovery, thanks to the American Rescue Plan. I applaud the members of Congress who voted for this bold piece of legislation that will help working families recuperate from the last year and allow state and local governments to continue to provide critical services.”
The bill includes payments of up to $1,400 for families with incomes of less than $160,000 per year and individuals with income up to $80,000. That means that 5,876,366 Pennsylvanians would receive a total of $14.8 billion in direct payment from the federal government.
Under the extension of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), people who are unemployed would get $300 added to their regular weekly unemployment benefits through September 6. Under the extension of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), freelancers, gig workers, and independent contractors would continue to receive unemployment insurance during that time. Under the extension of the Pandemic Extended Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, provisions that increase the duration of payments for those in the traditional state unemployment system, would continue as well. The first $10,200 of unemployment payments would be tax-free for households with annual incomes of less than $150,000.
642,478 Pennsylvanians, (10.23% of all workers in the state) were facing a cut-off of these benefits. They will now continue.
In addition to stimulus payments and unemployment compensation, the bill addresses needs in other areas as well. It expands the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with major impacts to Pennsylvanians. The Keystone Research Center estimates that:
- A 45-year-old individual with an income of $60,000 would see her monthly premium go down $89 from $514 to $425.
- As a couple, two sixty-year-olds with an income of $75,000 would drop $1,402, from $1,933 to $531 per month.
- A family of four with an income of $120,000 would its premium drop $605 from $1,455 to $850 per month.
- A 60-year-old with an income of $55,000 would see his premiums drop by $527 a month from $917 to $390 for a silver plan per month. A low-cost bronze plan would drop by $535 a month from $634 to $99. A low-cost gold plan would drop by $497 a month from $841 to $344.
- In addition, 26% of the uninsured in PA (96,216 people) are now eligible for a free bronze-level plan or a low-cost silver plan with a very low deductible.
The American Rescue Plan also expands the child tax credit, giving low income families up to $3,600 per child under the age of 6 and up to $3,000 for children up to 18. In Pennsylvania,
- 892,000 children under 17 who were left out of the full $2,000 Child Tax Credit would now benefit.
- 140,000 children under the age of 18 would be lifted above poverty.
- 311,000 children under 18 would be lifted above or close to the poverty line.
- 90% of children under 18 would benefit from the expansion.
Further, the ARP increases food assistance benefits; provides $20 billion to local and state governments to help with rent, $10 million for mortgages; expands the earned income tax credit; and funds loan programs for small businesses.
“Recovery from COVID goes beyond simply ending mitigation efforts. To fully recover, we have to invest in working people and families,” said Senator Costa. “We have lost a lot in the past year and the programs created and funded by the American Rescue Plan will help us rebuild an economy that works for everyone.”
President Joe Biden has indicated that he will sign the bill on Friday.
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Pittsburgh, PA − February 15, 2021 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa released the following statement regarding Senator John Blake’s (D-Lackawanna) resignation.
Senator John Blake will be missed in our caucus. Since he was elected ten years ago, he has been committed to serving his constituents and has always been their outspoken advocate in every piece of legislation he has introduced, board he has served on, and speech he has given on the floor of this body. He provided invaluable expertise to our caucus on matters of pension reform, local government matters and community investment strategies.
We wish him well in his next endeavor where he will certainly keep up his passion for improving northeast Pennsylvania. John is well-suited for this very important position with Representative Cartwright. From his service as acting Secretary of the PA DCED to chairman of our Finance Committee for the last several years and his leadership roles within our caucus and on the Appropriations Committee, no one could be better prepared for this role.
