Harrisburg - 22 de abril de 2021 - A petición del líder demócrata del Senado de Pensilvania Jay Costa (D- Allegheny), el Comité de Política Demócrata del Senado celebró una mesa redonda virtual sobre el futuro del desarrollo de energía limpia y empleos de energía limpia en Pensilvania. Esta audiencia se celebró el Día de la Tierra para honrar la historia de la administración ambiental que este día representa, y para reconocer la importancia de preservar nuestro medio ambiente.
"Por algo el presidente Joe Biden desveló su histórico plan de infraestructuras aquí, en Pittsburgh", dijo Costa. "Nuestra ciudad comenzó su andadura en la revolución industrial, pero a medida que nuestro mundo ha evolucionado, también deben hacerlo las infraestructuras que nos mantienen en marcha. Necesitamos fuentes de energía limpias que nos conduzcan al futuro, impulsadas por hombres y mujeres en puestos de trabajo que mantengan a sus familias. Nuestra Tierra no tiene recursos infinitos, y es nuestro deber proteger y preservar la salud y los recursos de nuestro planeta para las generaciones futuras."
Como señaló la Dra. Patricia DeMarco, Doctora y Vicepresidenta del Forest Hills Borough Council, el primer Día de la Tierra, hace 51 años, estuvo fuertemente impulsado por la AFL-CIO y el movimiento obrero.
"Nuestros miembros también viven y juegan aquí", afirmó Kris Anderson, representante internacional de la Hermandad Internacional de Trabajadores de la Electricidad (IBEW). Señaló que ésta es una de las principales razones por las que su sindicato y sus miembros apuestan por un medio ambiente limpio. Saben que ellos y sus familias se beneficiarán del aire limpio, el agua limpia y el ecosistema sostenible que se creará.
Joshua McNeil, Director Ejecutivo de Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania y Vicepresidente de Compromiso Cívico de PennFuture, afirmó que tanto él como sus organizaciones creen que la American Jobs Act del Presidente Joe Biden es "una oportunidad histórica para invertir en infraestructuras".
Darrin Kelly, Presidente del Consejo Laboral del Condado de Allegheny-Fayette, también se mostró muy optimista sobre el plan del Presidente Biden, y afirmó que conseguir que los fondos salgan de Washington y lleguen a nuestras comunidades locales será fundamental para llevar a cabo un cambio positivo y desarrollar oportunidades para los trabajadores locales.
La Dra. DeMarco habló de su trabajo con Reimagine Appalachia y su misión de crear una economía sostenibledel siglo XXI. Dijo que Pensilvania podría poner en práctica una misión similar y utilizar el proceso que Reimagine Appalachia llevó a cabo para implicar a las partes interesadas y a los miembros de la comunidad en debates sobre todas sus prioridades para asegurarse de que los cambios que quieren aplicar benefician realmente a los miembros de la comunidad y a las regiones en las que viven.
McNeil señaló que Pensilvania debería volver a comprometerse con una Alianza Azul-Verde para asegurarse de que todos los proyectos de ley de la legislatura de Pensilvania cuentan con aportaciones equitativas de las partes interesadas, tanto medioambientales como laborales. Dijo que es crucial que estos movimientos trabajen conjuntamente en cada paso de la transición de Pensilvania de una economía extractiva a una economía regenerativa.
Anderson, de IBEW, dijo que mientras trabajamos por un futuro más sostenible y fuentes de energía más limpias para alimentar nuestra nación, es importante también mantener las cosas centradas en Pensilvania y la seguridad de sus trabajadores. Dijo que mientras las grandes industrias se centran en el beneficio, mantener la mano de obra y nuestras industrias locales es mejor para nuestra economía y permite al estado implementar regulaciones en la industria de la energía limpia que serán transparentes y darán prioridad a los trabajadores y a las propias comunidades.
"Las personas que van a obtener financiación del gobierno federal van a ser las que tengan un plan", dijo la Dra. DeMarco. Afirmó que, a medida que la atención nacional se desplaza hacia una economía sostenible, Pensilvania debe ser proactiva en la elaboración de planes para un futuro con energías limpias, pues de lo contrario se verán forzados a aceptar planes de instituciones más grandes que no se centrarán en lo que es mejor para nuestras comunidades locales.
La senadora Carolyn Comitta (demócrata de Chester), presidenta demócrata de la Comisión de Recursos Medioambientales y Energía del Senado, afirmó que debemos tener en cuenta quién está representado en estas conversaciones, especialmente las comunidades minoritarias y de color, que se ven desproporcionadamente afectadas por la contaminación industrial y otros riesgos medioambientales.
El Senador Costa y la Senadora Katie Muth (D- Berks/Chester/Montgomery) dijeron que estaban muy satisfechos de contar con el compromiso de la comunidad laboral y de la comunidad medioambiental de colaborar estrechamente en el futuro, y que intentarán mantener más conversaciones similares a la de hoy en el futuro.
"Es oportuno y necesario que celebremos este debate hoy, Día de la Tierra. La información y el diálogo escuchados hoy ponen aún más de relieve la necesidad de tomar medidas urgentes para combatir la crisis climática y, al mismo tiempo, trabajar en la transición de una economía extractiva a una economía regenerativa; donde los ciclos de producción e industria estén libres de residuos, no sean perjudiciales para los trabajadores, las comunidades o el planeta", dijo Muth. "Las entidades afectadas deben sentarse a la mesa para garantizar una transición justa a una Pensilvania más limpia, ecológica y económicamente sostenible".
A continuación figuran todos los participantes en el debate de hoy:
- Dra. Patricia DeMarco, Ph.D., Borough of Forest Hills, Vicepresidenta, Borough Council
- Darrin Kelly, Consejo Laboral del Condado de Allegheny-Fayette, Presidente
- Joshua McNeil, Director Ejecutivo, Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania y Vicepresidente de Compromiso Cívico, PennFuture
- Kris Anderson, Representante Internacional de la Hermandad Internacional de Trabajadores de la Electricidad (IBEW)
La grabación completa de esta mesa redonda puede consultarse en senatormuth.com/policy. También se puede encontrar una grabación completa de esta audiencia en la página de Facebook de los demócratas del Senado de Pensilvania.
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Pittsburgh − Abril 21, 2021 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today announced the award of more than $1 million for local development projects in the 43rd senatorial district.
“Across the state, we are in the mend in many ways and the projects that are funded today are going to inspire the economic development our communities need right now,” said Senator Costa. “I look forward to these projects coming to fruition for the betterment of our infrastructure systems and recreational opportunities.”
The grants for local organizations and municipalities are provided through the Multi Modal Fund and Act 13. Multimodal fund projects can include work on the development, rehabilitation, and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development.
Entities in the 43rd district receiving Multimodal funds include:
- $200,000 for the City of Pittsburgh to make improvements to the Irvine Street sidewalks
- $250,000 to the Allegheny Land Trust for the Churchill Valley Greenway
- $100,149 to Gregg Developmental Services for the 2400 East Carson Street Transportation Improvement Project
Act 13 grants come from the Marcellus Legacy Fund and can be used on initiatives that will include abandoned mine drainage abatement; abandoned well plugging; sewage treatment; greenways, trails and recreation; baseline water quality data; watershed restoration; and flood control.
Entities in the 43rd district receiving Act 13 funds include:
- $115,000 to the Allegheny Land Trust for the Churchill Valley Greenway acquisition
- $109,808 for the Blackridge Civic Association for stormwater remediation and reconstruction
- $129,392 for South Side Community Council to renovate Esser’s Plaza
- $94,478 for CC Mellor Memorial Library and Edgewood Community House
- $78,246 for Homestead Borough for Frick Park swings and safety surface
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Pittsburgh, PA − Abril 20, 2021 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa issued the following statement on the Chauvin verdict:
“Justice today for George Floyd is a relief to so many who had lost faith in our system. The video footage from Mr. Floyd’s death that so many of us saw was deeply traumatizing and this verdict can help us begin to heal those wounds. We continue to mourn the premature loss of Mr. Floyd and must stay committed to preventing the next tragedy. We have to work on anti-racism and on improving our criminal justice system in this country and in this state.
If the trial brought up triggering or unsettling feelings for you, you are not alone. Reach out for help. Pennsylvania has a 24/7 mental health support line: 1-855-284-2494″
Harrisburg, Pa. − Abril 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 Miércoles, 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 Mayo 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 Abril 19.
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HARRISBURG − Marzo 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 Marzo 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 Viernes, Abril 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. − Marzo 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 Mayo – 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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