PITTSBURGH, PA – January 30, 2025 − Today, Governor Josh Shapiro unveiled The Lightning Plan, a sweeping energy policy aimed at unleashing Pennsylvania’s energy potential, creating good jobs, reducing costs for energy consumers, and positioning our commonwealth as a leader in modern energy production and distribution.
In support, Senator Costa releases the following statement:;
“I am delighted to be supporting Governor Shapiro as he lays out a bold, visionary plan for energy in Pennsylvania that uplifts our commonwealth from every angle, from energy production to consumer costs to grid reliability and beyond.
“Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus have supported and will continue to support bringing the Governor’s vision to fruition, advocating for legislation like PRESS, PACER, and EDGE to shore up our energy market and modernize critical tax credit programs.
“I look forward to championing The Lightning Plan throughout this budget season until all the pillars are signed into law.”
Learn more about the Senate Democrats commitment to affordable energy for every Pennsylvanian here.
PITTSBURGH, PA – January 29, 2025 – Today, Senator Jay Costa announces $1,175,000 in Gaming Economic Development Tourism money and Act 13 money benefiting the 43rd senatorial district.
“I am delighted to be announcing funding that supports our parks, our trails, our first responders, and our critical nonprofits that make our community so special,” said Senator Costa. “Supporting these crucial community organizations to improve their infrastructure is just one way we can continue to deliver safe, welcoming spaces for every Pennsylvanian.”
“These investments will enhance public spaces, improve accessibility, and strengthen community infrastructure,” McAndrew said. “From upgrading parks and public safety to supporting local firefighters, this funding ensures long-term benefits for residents. Thanks to Sen. Jay Costa for his advocacy in securing these essential funds.”
Alongside Representative Joe McAndrew, Senator Costa announces the following awards from Act 13 funding:
- The Municipality of Penn Hills was awarded $80,000 for the Verona, Oakmont, Penn Hills, Plum (VOPP) Trail Connector Milltown Bridge Restoration
- Oakmont Borough was awarded $80,000 for Riverview Park Field Lights
Additionally, alongside Representative Abigail Salisbury, Senator Costa announces that Wilkins Township was awarded $80,000 in Act 13 funding for Community Center Outdoor Renovation.
Per the Department of Community and Economic Development’s website, “Act 13 of 2012 establishes the Marcellus Legacy Fund and allocates funds to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects using the Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program.”
From GEDTF, Senator Costa and Representative McAndrew announce the following:
- Allegheny Valley North COG in Oakmont was awarded $195,000 to purchase and install full fixture light poles at Oakmont-Riverside Park.
- Tamion Enterprises in Penn Hills was awarded $250,000 for road paving, landscaping and cleanup & lighting at the East Hills Drive Gateway.
- North Bessemer Community Volunteer Fire Association in Penn Hills was awarded $125,000 to repair and replace the North Bessemer Community VFD Parking Lot Replacement.
- Verona Volunteer Fire Company was awarded $60,000 for Enhanced Emergency Response Equipment, specifically the purchase a new Stanley Land craft fire/rescue boat.
SEIU Local 668 in Wilkinsburg was awarded $125,000 in GEDTF funding for the installation of ADA compliant ramps, interior construction and upgrades, roof repairs and lighting in the SEIU 668 Wilkinsburg Office
With Representative Dan Frankel and Representative La’Tasha D. Mayes, Rodef Shalom Congregation was awarded $110,000 in GEDTF funding to replace lighting fixtures throughout the building.
“Supporting the organizations that bring people together is always a good bet,” said Rep. Frankel. “With needed state support, these projects will enhance the day-to-day lives of neighbors throughout our community.”
“These grants from the GEDTF will allow us to continue investing in Pittsburgh’s economy by supporting recreation, community services and affordable housing throughout Allegheny County,” Mayes said. “Not only can we continue to attract tourism, but we can also improve our local recreational offerings, diversify Pittsburgh’s services to communities of color, and bring down the cost of housing in our area.”
In conjunction with Representatives Frankel, Mayes, and Abney, Senator Costa announces Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was awarded $70,000 in GEDTF funding for ADA accessible pathways, improve stormwater and create new connections between park and CMU campus at Schenley Park.
“Public safety and accessibility are at the heart of these funds,” Abney said. “Thank you to Sen. Costa for his collaboration in securing these dollars.”
Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund (GEDTF) grants allow municipalities, authorities, councils of government (COGs), and both non- and for-profit businesses to carry out significant economic development for current and future use. Administered by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (RAAC), these grants provide financial assistance to entities to facilitate economic development projects in Allegheny County.
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA – State Representative Matt Gergely, D-Pittsburgh, passed away on January 19, 2025, at the age of 45. First elected to the House of Representatives in 2023, Representative Gergely hailed from the 35th district, comprising of McKeesport, Clairton, Munhall, Duquesne, and Lincoln.
In sorrow, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus releases the following statement:
“We are so deeply sorry to learn of the passing of Representative Matt Gergely, and we already miss him more than words can express. A public servant to the very end, Representative Gergely left an indelible mark on everyone who met him. McKeesport lost a terrific champion today. We wish his loved ones peace and comfort as they mourn his untimely passing. May his memory be a blessing.”
Per the House Democratic Caucus, the family of Representative Gergely has requested privacy at this time.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – January 16, 2025 – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa announces $5,717,807 in funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) benefitting the 43rd district, encompassing parts of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
The purpose of VIP funding is to provide grants and technical assistance to address community violence throughout the Commonwealth. For the purpose of this funding announcement, ‘community violence’ is defined as intentional interpersonal violence (e.g., gun violence, group-related violence, domestic violence/intimate partner violence) in areas of Pennsylvania with high rates of firearm-related violent crime and/or firearm-related injury.
“I am so proud to announce these dollars, which will go towards keeping our friends and neighbors safe,” said Senator Costa. “We know that when we invest in strong, vibrant community spaces and programming, we can reduce violence, improve lives, and build critical life skills among our young people. I look forward to seeing this funding to go good use in the 43rd district.”
VIP Grants Awardees in the 43rd senatorial district are as follows:
- 1Hood Media was awarded $620,000 to expand and enhance their We Keep Us Safe (WKUS) media literacy and violence prevention program for young adults ages 16-26 impacted by community violence. WKUS promotes healthy and informed social media use, arts education engagement and sports activities, as well as safe, fun community service gatherings for youth through “Fridays on Deck” events.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh was awarded $900,000 to provide evidence-based youth mentoring programs at five schools in East Pittsburgh—Woodland Hills High School, Dickson Preparatory STEAM Academy, and Propel Schools Braddock Hills Elementary, Middle, and High Schools—that share an area critically affected by gun violence.
- Carnegie Library of Homestead was awarded $582,666 to expand and enhance their Youth Development and Restorative Justice Program. Funds will be used to engage at-risk youth by providing restorative justice circles, educational workshops, and recreational activities to reduce violence and promote positive youth development.
- Homewood Children’s Village was awarded $950,000 to support its Holistic Anti-Violence Education Network (HAVEN) program, which embeds violence prevention in community schools, trains parents and family members in anti-violence techniques, provides youth mentorship, and expands access to therapeutic services.
- Phase 4 Learning Center, Inc., was awarded $949,991 to expand its P4: 247 CommUNITY program, which provides culturally sensitive, trauma-informed interventions (mentoring and counseling) to youth/young adults and families impacted by gun violence within Allegheny and Beaver Counties.
- The Legacy Arts Project was awarded $434,840 to implement the expansion of the Drums Not Guns, which is a culturally enriching program to reduce gun violence and participation in gang activity.
- The University of Pittsburgh was awarded $949,856 to support expansion of the Empowering Teens to Thrive (ET3) hospital-based violence intervention program and community-based mentorship program for youth ages 12-25 injured or impacted by community violence.
- Youth Enrichment Services, Inc., was awarded $950,000 to enhance its youth-led peer engagement and violence prevention programming. Program components include the Fitness Fun Involving Sports and Health program, implementing youth-created Big Ideas for addressing gun violence, and scaling the annual Teen Violence Prevention Symposium.
From the Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grant program, Early Excellence Project was awarded $235,446 to expand High Impact Tutoring Program to out-of-school time (OST) settings in the Southside of Pittsburgh.
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to safe communities for every Pennsylvanian here.
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HARRISBURG, PA – January 8, 2025 − The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announces its committee chairs for the 2025-26 legislative session.
The Senate Democratic Caucus also proudly welcomes two new members: Senator Patty Kim representing Senate District 15, and Senator Nick Piscottano representing Senate District 45.
- Aging & Youth – Senator Maria Collett
- Agriculture & Rural Affairs – Senator Judy Schwank
- Appropriations – Senator Vincent Hughes
- Banking & Insurance – Senator Sharif Street
- Communications & Technology – Senator Nick Miller
- Community, Economic & Recreational Development – Senator Anthony Williams
- Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure – Senator Lisa Boscola
- Education – Senator Lindsey Williams
- Environmental Resources & Energy – Senator Carolyn Comitta
- Finance – Senator Nick Pisciottano
- Game & Fisheries – Senator Lisa Boscola
- Health & Human Services – Senator Art Haywood
- Institutional Sustainability & Innovation – Senator Tim Kearney
- Intergovernmental Operations – Senator Tina Tartaglione
- Judiciary – Senator Amanda Cappelletti
- Labor & Industry – Senator John Kane
- Law & Justice – Senator Wayne Fontana
- Local Government – Senator Patty Kim
- Rules & Executive Nominations – Senator Jay Costa
- State Government – Senator Steve Santarsiero
- Transportation – Senator Marty Flynn
- Urban Affairs & Housing – Senator Nikil Saval
- Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness – Senator Katie Muth
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to fighting for every Pennsylvanian here.
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HARRISBURG, PA – January 4, 2025 − Yesterday, the Commonwealth Court issued a ruling in the Hommrich v. Boscola defamation case, reversing the trial court and holding that the statement in Senator Boscola’s net metering co-sponsorship memo is protected by legislative immunity.
J. Cohn-Jubelirer authored the the 6-1 decision, concluding that the “co-sponsorship memo falls within the sphere of legitimate legislative activity, thus immunizing Senator Boscola from suit in accordance with the legislative privilege doctrine.” This is a win for protected speech under the Speech and Debate Clause, Art. II, Section 15 of the Pa. Constitution and will protect legislators from future lawsuits ancillary to their efforts to craft legislation.
The defamation claim in question was brought against Senator Boscola by Mr. Hommrich after she issued a co-sponsorship memo to all Members in 2023 seeking support for her legislation that would, “upon the recommendation of the [PUC] . . . close the Hommrich loophole by limiting net metering to generator’s system designed to generate no more than 110% of the customer-generator’s requirements for electricity.”
Legislators commonly use co-sponsorship memoranda to kickoff the legislative fact-finding process and express the intent to fellow members behind their soon-to-be introduced legislation.
The phrase “Hommrich loophole” in the memo related to a 2020 court ruling in Hommrich v. Pa. PUC holding that the PUC exceeded its statutory authority when it established limits on net metering for solar facilities producing up to 3 MW of electricity.
Constitutional legislative immunity protects the legislative process from judicial interference with legitimate legislative activities. In a strong opinion, J. Cohn-Jubelirer concluded that “there is no doubt as to the applicability of the legislative privilege to the Co-sponsorship Memo.”
The “preparation and circulation of co-sponsorship memoranda are core legislative functions within the legitimate legislative sphere,” and “[t]o subject legislators to litigation for actions taken during the legislative process would, in essence, permit the very ills against which the legislative privilege seeks to protect.”
Of note, House Democratic and both Republican Caucuses filed a joint amicus brief in support of Senator Boscola’s legislative immunity claim.
“I am grateful the Commonwealth Court ruled in my favor yesterday,” said Senator Lisa Boscola regarding the outcome of this case. “Co-sponsorship memorandums are an essential component to the legislative process. Subjecting elected officials to lawsuits for the contents of those memorandums would have a chilling effect on the legislative process. I am proud that the Senate Democratic Caucus led the charge to defend the Speech and Debate clause and that the other three caucuses joined in our efforts.”
“I am very pleased with yesterday’s Commonwealth Court decision, which affirms lawmakers’ protections as we carry out our duties in office,” said Senator Costa of the ruling. “Our primary concern as legislators, regardless of our party or chamber, is to draft and advocate for bills that will improve the lives of every Pennsylvanian. The protections afforded us in the speech and debate clause allow us to do our jobs without fear of frivolous lawsuits, retaliation, or bullying by bad actors seeking to interfere with the legislative process. I am proud to have supported my friend and colleague Senator Boscola throughout these proceedings, and I am glad that the courts ruled in favor of our democratic processes today.”
Read more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to fighting for every Pennsylvanian here.
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