Harrisburg, Pa. - 22 de marzo de 2021 - El líder demócrata del Senado, Jay Costa, respondió a la declaración de los republicanos del Senado indicando que una enmienda constitucional de emergencia para proporcionar una ventana para la justicia para los sobrevivientes de abuso sexual no será votada en la cámara del Senado.
"Estamos en total desacuerdo con la conclusión de los republicanos del Senado de que garantizar la justicia para los supervivientes de abusos sexuales no es una emergencia, y me decepciona ver que están dispuestos a retrasar la justicia por un error administrativo".
Si la preocupación de los republicanos es la constitucionalidad de una enmienda de emergencia, deberíamos proceder con un proyecto de ley que cree una ventana a la justicia estatutariamente - en lugar de a través del proceso de enmienda constitucional. Los demócratas del Senado han presentado un proyecto de ley de este tipo durante dos sesiones consecutivas; esta sesión el proyecto de ley se presenta como Proyecto de Ley 407 del Senado.
Además, podemos añadir a esa legislación un texto que agilizaría cualquier impugnación legal inmediatamente ante el Tribunal Supremo de Pensilvania, garantizando así una resolución para los supervivientes mucho más rápida que volver a empezar con el proceso de más de dos años para una enmienda constitucional.
Si los republicanos no están dispuestos a votar sobre una enmienda constitucional de emergencia, no tenemos más remedio que promulgar un plazo legal de dos años con jurisdicción expedita para el Tribunal Supremo de Pensilvania.
No fue culpa de los supervivientes que la enmienda constitucional no se anunciara adecuadamente, y no se les debe hacer sufrir más por un error administrativo.
La enmienda constitucional sobre el acceso a la justicia fue aprobada por mayoría en dos sesiones consecutivas. Ha sido examinada. La hemos aprobado. Debemos actuar para llevarla a las urnas en mayo, como estaba previsto, o convertirla inmediatamente en ley. No hay más tiempo que perder.
Un análisis de casi 200 estudios independientes con más de 230.000 participantes adultos concluye que haber sufrido agresiones sexuales se asocia a un riesgo significativamente mayor de ansiedad, depresión, suicidio, trastorno de estrés postraumático, abuso de sustancias, trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo y trastorno bipolar.
Garantizar justicia a los supervivientes es una emergencia; no pueden esperar más".
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Harrisburg, PA − Marzo 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. – Marzo 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 Septiembre 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 Viernes.
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Pittsburgh, PA − Febrero 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.
HARRISBURG — Febrero 3, 2021 — Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) jointly responded to Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2021-22 Budget Address with a statement Miércoles afternoon.
The senators expressed support for the broad goals and the priorities announced in the $37.84 billion proposal, adding that the proposal is a good starting point to finding long-term solutions to Pennsylvania’s structural deficit. Sens. Costa and Hughes praised the proposal’s emphasis on raising the minimum wage, increasing funding for basic education with greater focus on equity, as well as reducing taxes on low-and middle-income families.
“There are some laudable goals outlined here by our governor and many of the investments reflect requests we have seen from constituents across the state,” Sen. Costa said. “Our schools need increased funding, local governments need more assistance to handle COVID 19, and the workforce development programs proposed have the potential to get many Pennsylvanians back on the job. This is a good starting point, and we look forward to the budget hearing process and negotiations with our colleagues across the aisle and in the House to get a final budget that funds critical programs and meets our needs in this unique time.”
The proposed budget would maintain funding for human services and higher education, while also increasing funding for environmental initiatives, infrastructure repairs and improvements, and workforce development efforts across the commonwealth. Other areas of priority in the budget proposal include bolstering the commonwealth’s inventory essential health supplies and $8.5 million for four city and six county health departments to help fight and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The governor’s proposal to finally and immediately deal with the issue of equal funding of our K-12 schools, is welcome and deserves broad based support, especially since he makes sure that no student is penalized for this aggressive commitment to equity and adequacy,” Sen Hughes said. “His $1 billion commitment to clean and repair broken and toxic schools, along with his commitment to free and affordable college for Pennsylvania students are welcome policy goals that the Senate Democratic Caucus has long championed. And his desire to do all of this in a way that reduces taxes on low- and middle-income families is certainly the right way to go. This is a good direction, and we welcome the introduction of these significant policy goals as the first step in the upcoming budget and policy conversation.”
The senators believe it is critical the General Assembly develops solutions to the structural deficits the Commonwealth has faced for the past 10 years and failed to address because of a lack of cooperation from Republicans in the House and Senate. Additionally, it is still not clear what the state can expect from the federal government with regard to COVID relief packages.
The Senate Democratic caucus is most encouraged by investments in the following programs for the 2021-22 budget include:
Basic Education:
- Full funding of public schools through the Fair Funding Formula
- $1.35 billion increase to basic education funding
- $1 billion in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants to address school infrastructure needs in PA
- $200 million for special education
- Releases up to $36 million for additional scholarship to students under the Education Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Programs)
- $25 million for Pre-K Counts
- $11 million increase for Early intervention programs
- $5 million for the Head Start Supplemental Program
- Charter School reform for $229 million in savings to school districts
- Sets cyber charter tuition rates at $9,500 per student
- Push for $45,000 minimum salary per year for teachers
Higher Education:
- $199 million for free and affordable college through the Nellie Bly Tuition Program
- Level funding for higher education
Workforce Development:
- Proposes minimum wage increase to $12 per hour on Julio 1, 2021, with a path to $15 per hour
- Tax deductions for low- and middle-income families
- Provide $3 billion to workers and businesses to stabilize the economy and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic through the Back to Work PA plan
- Improves food security and supports farmers by investing $1 million in the Pennsylvania Agriculture Surplus System (PASS)
Human Services:
- Directs $87 million in federal funding to Child Care Works base rates and create a more stable business environment for child care facilities while improving equal access to child care services
- $8.3 million to help county and municipal health departments fight COVID-19
- 13.8 million to provide home and community-based services to 100 individuals with disabilities on waiting list and provide services through the Community Living Waiver to 732 individuals on waiting list
- Additional $1 million to fund legal services for low-income individuals and families, an issue the caucus has pushed for and will continue to fight for in future budgets
- $1.25 million for 20 Community Hospital Integration Projects Program (CHIPP) to help reduce state hospital populations
- $1 million to reduce the number of children and youth in out-of-home placements triggered by homelessness, housing instability, or inadequate housing
Budget hearings are set to begin in Marzo. For more information on the 2021-21 Budget, visit PASenate.com/budget.
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Harrisburg, Pa. - 1 de febrero de 2021 - Los demócratas del Senado de Pensilvania presentarán legislación para crear estatutariamente una ventana de dos años para que los sobrevivientes de abuso sexual busquen justicia en reclamaciones que anteriormente habrían prescrito.
Esta solución legislativa pretende sustituir al proceso de enmienda constitucional, que ha sido inadvertidamente anulado por el Departamento de Estado. Para enmendar la Constitución de Pensilvania, un proyecto de ley debe ser aprobado de forma idéntica en dos sesiones legislativas consecutivas. Después de cada aprobación, el proyecto de ley debe ser objeto de publicidad y, tras la segunda aprobación, se somete a la aprobación de los votantes.
En la sesión anterior se aprobó una enmienda constitucional para abrir el plazo de dos años a los supervivientes de abusos sexuales, pero el Departamento de Estado no la anunció, por lo que el largo proceso tendría que empezar de nuevo.
Los Demócratas del Senado no creen que los supervivientes deban esperar más tiempo a que se haga justicia. Las ventanas legales a la justicia han sido confirmadas constitucionalmente en otros estados, y el grupo cree que es aceptable y necesario aquí en Pensilvania.
"Este es un revés decepcionante en el proceso de creación de la ventana a la justicia", dijo el líder demócrata del Senado Jay Costa, Jr. "Si continuamos con el proceso de enmienda constitucional, pasarán al menos otros 2 años hasta que se cree la ventana y eso es simplemente demasiado tiempo. Una solución legislativa puede crear la ventana de inmediato, y estoy alentando el apoyo bipartidista y bicameral para el proyecto de ley que los miembros de nuestro caucus va a introducir. Los supervivientes necesitan justicia ya".
Los senadores Maria Collett, Katie Muth, Lindsey Williams y Steve Santarsiero y Tim Kearney presentarán el proyecto de ley de inmediato y han sido defensores de los sobrevivientes de asalto sexual desde que cada uno fue elegido en 2018.
"Decir que estoy decepcionado por este revés es quedarse corto", dijo el senador Collett. "Estoy desolada en nombre de las víctimas de abusos sexuales en la infancia de mi distrito y de toda la Commonwealth, que han compartido con nosotros sus desgarradoras historias y nos han confiado la tarea de hacerles llegar la tan esperada justicia y el camino hacia la curación. Lo último que necesitan estas víctimas es otro retraso, otro desaire que les haga sentir que a nadie le importa su dolor. Independientemente de nuestra política, religión, edad o sexo, todos sabemos que las instituciones cuyos fallos provocaron el trauma de estas víctimas deben rendir cuentas. La legislación que mis colegas y yo presentamos corregirá el error cometido por el Departamento de Estado y acercará a las víctimas de toda Pensilvania un paso más a la justicia."
"La acción legislativa es necesaria desde hace mucho tiempo y con este último retraso esperar otros dos años es simplemente inaceptable", dijo el senador Muth. "La Asamblea General necesita aprobar una ventana estatutaria lo antes posible y permitir finalmente la justicia y la curación de estas víctimas".
"Hace tiempo que pasó el momento de debatir", dijo la senadora Santarsiero. "No hay necesidad de enmendar nuestra Constitución Estatal. La Asamblea General tiene la autoridad para aprobar la ventana de dos años para dar a las víctimas de abuso sexual infantil lo que han buscado durante tanto tiempo y lo que tanto merecen: justicia."
"Las víctimas no pueden esperar más a que se haga justicia", dijo la senadora Williams. "Tenemos que aprobar una ventana estatutaria inmediatamente".
"Lideramos la lucha en la última sesión para reformar el estatuto de limitaciones de Pennsylvania, y no vamos a cejar ahora", dijo el senador Kearney. "El proceso de una enmienda constitucional era innecesario en primer lugar. Los supervivientes ya han esperado bastante para que se haga justicia, y no deberían tener que esperar otros dos años por un error administrativo. Debemos aprobar este proyecto de ley ahora, porque la justicia retrasada es justicia denegada."
En nombre de estos supervivientes, los demócratas del Senado piden una rápida aprobación del nuevo proyecto de ley y el compromiso del Gobernador de hacer de su aprobación una prioridad.
Más información sobre la legislación aquí.
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