Pittsburgh, Pa. − May 28, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. expressed hopefulness at today’s ruling from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in the case of Commonwealth vs. UPMC.
In a 4-3 decision, the Supreme Court reversed and remanded the case back to the Commonwealth Court.
“I am pleased to report that the PA Supreme Court reversed and remanded the Commonwealth Court’s decision on the UPMC contract case back to the Commonwealth Court.
The Commonwealth Court will now have a hearing, consistent with this ruling.
Today’s decision doesn’t extend the June deadline for the UPMC-Highmark contract, but it continues this important conversation on health care access in Western Pennsylvania and the entire Commonwealth by requiring the Commonwealth Court to expeditiously determine whether the consent decree may be extended beyond June 30, 2019.
I was proud to sign onto an amicus brief in support of AG Josh Shapiro’s case, along with many of my colleagues in the PA Senate Democratic Caucus.
We’ll continue work on a legislative solution, but I’m heartened by the Supreme Court’s decision today.”
-Senator Costa
Pennsylvania − May 20, 2019 − Advocates, lawmakers and state officials will participate in tours and a statewide day of action on Thursday, May 23rd with businesses that choose to pay their employees a living wage.
Pennsylvania’s minimum wage remains at a regional low of $7.25 per hour, the minimum still set by the federal government. The state is beyond due for an increase in this poverty-level wage.
According to a recent report from the Keystone Research Center, an increase in the state’s minimum wage to $12/hour on July 1, 2019 (as proposed by Governor Tom Wolf and members of the General Assembly as part of this year’s budget negotiations) would impact a total of 1.7 million Pennsylvania workers. More than 1.13 million would see a direct increase; 540,000 people who make slightly more than $12/hour would see their wages increase as payscales are adjusted upwards.
Despite a decade without a mandated increase from the state or federal government, business owners throughout Pennsylvania understand that a $7.25 wage is unacceptable and have taken it upon themselves to ensure that their workers are able to support themselves through full-time work. Those businesses are thriving.
Members of the press are invited to attend these tours and ask questions of the legislators and business owners. Tour stops include:
Harrisburg
2:00pm at Elementary Coffee
Broad Street Market, 1233 N 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA 17102
Pittsburgh
3:30pm at Bar Marco
2216 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Philadelphia
1:30pm at La Barberia
Suburban Station Concourse, 17th St. & JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Delaware County
5:00pm at Five Points Coffee Shop
47 Long Ln, Upper Darby, PA 19082
Chester County
3:00pm at Mabel’s BBQ
607 East Market St. West Chester, PA
Bucks County
1pm at Exact Solar
82 Walker Lane, Newtown PA 18940
Lancaster
11am at El Pueblito Mexican Restaurant
1027 Dillerville Rd., Dillerville Square, Lancaster
Follow along with the day of action on Twitter with #RealJobsRealPay
For more information on the urgent need to raise the minimum wage, visit realjobsrealpay.com
Squirrel Hill, Pa. − May 9, 2019 − Members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate stood together today outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh to announce plans for legislation that will address hate crimes.
“Hate crimes are on the rise, and as leaders, we have the opportunity to modernize our legal system to address that fact,” said Representative Dan Frankel. “My constituents, including the many people affected by the attack on the congregations at Tree of Life, are begging us to do something to help keep them safe. I believe that we can come together to answer that call, beginning with this package of legislation.”
“The Tree of Life tragedy last fall shone a light on the shortcomings in Pennsylvania law relating to hate crimes and ethnic intimidation. Unfortunately, it was not the first and may not be the last crime committed in the Commonwealth fueled by hate,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. “After reviewing current laws and talking to various state and local agencies, we have identified many deficiencies in our state statutes and have plans to address them.”
“We have to do something if we want behavior to change,” said Representative Ed Gainey. “We have an obligation to protect people at all times. If we work together, we can accomplish this. The one thing we know for certain, and history has proven this, when we come together, there’s nothing we can’t change.”
The bills are aimed at creating a comprehensive defense against hate crimes. Bills will be introduced in both the House and Senate and have already garnered bipartisan support. They will:
- Provide the Attorney General with Concurrent Jurisdiction in Crimes Involving Ethnic Intimidation
- Require Hate Crimes Offenders to Complete Diversity Classes and Allowing Community Impact Statements
- Mandate MPOETC Training on Investigating, Identifying and Reporting Crimes of Ethnic Intimidation
- Create a Private Right of Action for Civil Rights Violation
- Institute a Reporting System for Postsecondary Institutions
- Begin a hate groups database
Cosponsorship memos for the Senate legislation are attached here.
Harrisburg, Pa. − May 7, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. congratulated Elliot Howsie on his confirmed appointment to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.
Howsie was appointed by Governor Tom Wolf following Senator Costa’s recommendation and was today confirmed by the full Senate unanimously.
“I was honored to recommend Elliot through this process, and we saw he had a broad range of support from folks who have worked with him for years or just recently met him,” said Senator Costa. “Elliot has the unique blend of work and life experience that will make him a valuable addition to the bench. I know he’ll be a wonderful judge and administer fair justice in his new role.”
Howsie grew up in Wilkinsburg, and after graduating from Central Catholic High School, he attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in criminal justice.
As he pursued his master’s degree in criminal justice, Elliot worked in social services teaching decision making and reintegration skills to the children at Shuman Juvenile Detention Center.
Elliot went on to serve as an Assistant District Attorney for five years in the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, where he focused on prosecuting cases involving child abuse. After leaving the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, he established his own law firm. He worked as a sole practitioner specializing in criminal defense as well as personal injury cases in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, the Pennsylvania Superior Court, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
In 2012, he was appointed by Allegheny County Executive, Rich Fitzgerald, to be Allegheny County’s first African American Chief Public Defender.
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Pittsburgh, PA − May 3, 2019 − Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. announced grant awards to three senior centers in the 43rd Senatorial District.
“Pennsylvania has an aging population, and it’s important that we invest in our seniors,” said Senator Costa. “These folks have invested in our communities for their entire lives and now it’s our responsibility to make sure that they’re able to grow old in centers that offer top notch care and programming.”
The centers receiving today’s awards are:
- Homewood Healthy Active Living Center, $38,200
- Greenfield Healthy Active Living Center, $66,055
- Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, $62,788
Grant funding opportunities are intended for enhancements that increase participation and programming, attract a new generation of older adults, and enable senior community centers to provide a safe and healthy environment for participants.
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging announced $2 million in new grant funding opportunities for Pennsylvania’s Senior Community Centers in 2018-2019.
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Pittsburgh, PA − May 2, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following reaction to a recent tweet from a Pennsylvania House member comparing union pipeline construction workers to Nazis:
“It is disappointing and unacceptable for anyone to refer to hardworking, union men and women who are engaged in pipeline building as “Nazis.” The men and women doing the work on the pipelines are the backbone of America: highly-trained, skilled professionals whose top priority is safety and security.
“The union workers are interested in safe, high-quality craftsmanship in pipeline development which helps ensure safety for all citizens and communities. As critical, their dedication and professionalism holds pipeline construction companies accountable to higher quality standards.”
