Harrisburg, PA – June 29, 2023 – Today, the Supreme Court decided in a 6-3 decision to strike down affirmative action in the case of Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College.
Democratic Leader Jay Costa, representing the 43rd senatorial district, releases the following reaction:
“I am extremely disheartened that the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action, a much-needed tool for ensuring young people of every race and background get a shot at a great college education and a full, happy life,” said Senator Costa. “Along with my colleagues in the PA Senate Democratic Caucus, I will continue to champion legislation that delivers a great higher-education experience for every Pennsylvanian.”
At 1 PM, Pennsylvania legislators will attend a press conference to add their voices to the chorus of disappointment regarding this decision. The livestream can be viewed here: PLBC Affirmative Action Response – YouTube
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Pittsburgh, PA – June 16, 2023 − Today, a jury found Robert Bowers guilty of 63 charges related to the deadliest antisemitic attack in recent history, which left eleven Jewish worshippers dead in Squirrel Hill.
State Senator Jay Costa, whose senatorial district includes Squirrel Hill, releases the following statement in response:
“Today’s guilty verdict marks the beginning of delivering justice for this terrible tragedy, but not the end. Our Jewish friends and neighbors will spend decades to come healing from this attack and mourning the loss of the community members whose lives were lost. While we now have a guilty verdict, we must also continue fighting to end the hatred and secure safe, welcoming spaces for all of us, no matter how we pray or worship.”
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PITTSBURGH − May 19, 2023 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senator Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) and Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) to host a public hearing in Pittsburgh on railroad safety.
The hearing, held earlier today at the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers Local 400 Building in Pittsburgh, featured three panels of testimony that focused on unsafe practices in the railroad industry and how Pennsylvania can mitigate impacts of a train derailment.
“Many Pennsylvania families live within feet of a heavily traveled railroad – with freight trains moving at high speeds and containing hazardous contents at all hours of the day and night. As we’ve seen here in this region, there is a disaster waiting to happen,” Muth said. “The derailment that occurred in East Palestine shed light on how common derailments are and it put emphasis on emergency response, public safety, and worker safety. Today’s hearing allowed us to learn more about how Pennsylvania can be better prepared and how our legislature can act to enhance railroad safety and hold railroads accountable.”
According to data from the Federal Railroad Administration, there were more than 1,100 train derailments in the US in 2022 – an average of roughly three derailments per day. Railroad companies are only required to notify states about trains carrying large quantities of flammable liquids, not about chemicals that fall into the eight other classifications of hazardous materials.
“Empowering rail workers to operate trains safely and protecting those workers when they report health or safety problems isn’t just the right thing to do—it will save lives and prevent catastrophic accidents,” Williams said. “Pennsylvania can be a leader in protecting our people, our communities, and our environment by enacting strong whistleblower protections for all employees working within our borders.”
According to data from the Association of American Railroads, Pennsylvania has the most operating railroad companies of any state and includes the third most total rail miles in the country – over 5,200 miles. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) indicated that at present, they lack statutory authority to direct railroads to implement recommendations to improve rail safety.
“I understand that Pennsylvania’s governmental authorities are virtually powerless when it comes to enforcement and regulating railroads which is unfortunate since the commonwealth has the largest number of railroad companies in the United States,” Fontana said. “I am optimistic that after holding this hearing and listening to the recommendations of the panelists, we now have what our options are as a commonwealth to move forward with improving railroad safety in the state.”
Participants in today’s hearing included Randy Padfield, Director, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA); Paul Pokrowka, Pennsylvania State Legislative Director, Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation Union; Stephen DeFrank, Vice Chairman, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC); Brian Moore, Emergency Response Director, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); Don Bialosky, Emergency Response Program Manager, DEP; Tim Leech, Pittsburgh Firefighters; and Dr. Andrew Whelton, Professor of Civil, Environmental, and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University.
“Today’s hearing about the railroad industry in Pennsylvania was an important part of an ongoing conversation, and I want to thank the testifiers who offered thoughtful, thorough answers to our questions,” Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) added. ‘I look forward to learning more about what we can do in Harrisburg to continue fighting for the safety of every Pennsylvanian.”
All submitted testimony from the policy hearing and the full video is available at SenatorMuth.com/Policy.
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Testimony
Panel 1: Environmental Impacts
Panel 2: Unsafe Industry Practices
- Paul Pokrowka – Legislative Director, Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation Union
Panel 3: First Responders
- Tim Leech – Vice President, Pittsburgh Firefighters, IAFF Local No. 1
- Matthew Brown – Chief, Allegheny County Emergency Medical Services
- Question and Answer Period
Panel 4: State Agencies
Harrisburg, PA – May 3, 2023 − Today, Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) joined legislative leaders and Executive Director Robin Wiessmann to celebrate the creation of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) 50 years ago by the General Assembly.
Today’s celebration coincides with the introduction of Senate Bill 679 by Senators Costa and Michele Brooks (R-Crawford). The legislation amends the Tax Reform Code to increase the cap on the amount of available tax credits under the Mixed-Use Development Tax Credit (MUDTC) Program from $4.5 million to $15 million.
MUDTCs are used by the PHFA to fund the development of projects in targeted areas of the Commonwealth that are often underserved and have significant need. The program is intended to provide support to developers and organizations that are committed to increasing affordable housing and commercial corridor development through the rehabilitation or creation of mixed-use developments.
“In its short time since the Mixed-use Development Program was established in 2016 the program has been enormously successful,” said Senator Costa. “Each year, interest in the tax credits and applications for development have greatly outpaced their availability. By increasing the available credits, we will further jumpstart essential investments in mixed-use development around the Commonwealth. The MUDTC Program is another tool in PHFA’s toolbox for ensuring that there is a safe, affordable home for every Pennsylvanian.”
PHFA is tasked with providing affordable housing opportunities to seniors, low- and moderate-income families, and individuals with special needs through mortgage assistance programs. It also provides financing and funding for the development of community projects, multifamily housing, and mixed-use projects and provides a wide range of housing services.
“This Mixed-Use Development Tax Credit Program has been extremely beneficial to the 50th Senatorial District,” said Senator Brooks. “In the past three years, it has benefitted all three counties I represent, providing funding for the Titusville Iron Works in Crawford County, the Wright Project in New Castle, Lawrence County, and the Flats Center in Sharon, Mercer County. I fully support this revitalization program as I have seen the benefits communities reap. This is only one of the successful and vital programs that PHFA offers to better the citizens of Pennsylvania.”
Over the 50 years since its establishment by the Legislature, the Agency has assisted in the purchase or refinancing of over 191,800 homes, saved over 50,000 homes through the Homeowners’ Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP), and helped develop over 100,000 affordable rental units.
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HARRISBURG, PA − April 26, 2023 − Today, Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Arts and Culture Caucus gathered in the Capitol Rotunda to celebrate “Arts Advocacy Day” along with Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania, a nonprofit advocacy group.
The four co-chairs of the caucus – Senator Jay Costa, Senator Pat Stefano, Representative R. Lee James, and Representative Joe Ciresi – joined advocates to praise the artists who contribute their talents to their communities, and called for continued investments in arts and culture in order to boost local economies, tourism, and downtown revitalization.
“Art is a communication tool that humans have used for centuries, connecting us to one another,” said Senator Pat Stefano. “People are instinctively drawn to beautiful things because we crave the release that’s triggered when we see or hear something that resonates with us. That in its simplest form is connection.”
“We all deserve to live in communities full of artists and art,” said Senator Jay Costa. “I am a proud patron of the arts and I was proud to join with advocates today to celebrate Pennsylvania’s contribution to the arts. I look forward to working with this bipartisan, bicameral caucus as we continue supporting a thriving arts hub in our beautiful commonwealth.”
The press conference included performances by Harrisburg poet Rick Kearns, Poetry Out Loud State Champion Peachy Lee, and the Altoona Area High School Jazz Ensemble.
“The Arts matter in PA,” said Kelley Gibson, Board Chair for Citizens for the Arts advocacy group. “Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania strongly believes that it is time for Pennsylvania to take the lead in supporting Arts and Culture. PA’s creative sector added more than $28.6 BILLION to the commonwealth’s economy in 2021, and these creative jobs and businesses are in every county in our community. The dance classes, local music festivals, and hands-on arts experiences that PA citizens experience are supported by these critical funds.”
Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania praised Governor Josh Shapiro for a 2023-24 fiscal budget that includes an increase to the Grants to the Arts line item, administered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, for the first time since the 2015-2016 budget. The advocacy group also supports several other initiatives such as:
- The Pennsylvania Arts Education Association in support of their advocating for the need to update the Arts & Humanities standards.
- The Pennsylvania State Task Force for Music Therapy in supporting Professional Licensure of Music Therapy.
- Funding to support the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Footage of today’s presser is accessible at PASenate.com. More information about the caucus is available at PAArtsCultureCaucus.com.
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Pittsburgh, PA − April 5, 2023 − Today, Senator Jay Costa and Representative Dan Frankel are pleased to announce an allocation of $269,708 in funding through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). Senator Costa and Representative Frankel championed the creation of this grant in the wake of the 2018 deadly massacre in Pittsburgh, where an armed gunman killed eleven Jewish worshippers at Tree of Life Synagogue. His trial is set to begin this spring.
“All of us deserve to feel safe in our places of community, no matter how we look, who we love, or how we pray,” said Senator Costa. “I am so proud to be delivering on this crucial value and securing funds to keep our community spaces protected from bad actors who seek to inflict pain. It’s up to us to make sure we can pray without fear, fellowship without danger, and create community in peace.”
Signed into law in 2019, Act 83 directs PCCD to administer grants to nonprofit organizations who principally serve individuals, groups or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics publication.
“We are deeply proud of our vibrant, diverse community in Pittsburgh,” said Representative Dan Frankel. “These grants will allow organization that serve vulnerable populations here to do so in ways that makes people feel safe and free to be themselves.”
The recipients of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding include:
- Afro American Music Institute: $75,000
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh: $7,708
- Congregation Dor Hadash: $12,000
- Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh: $150,000
- SisTers PGH: $25,000
More information about the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund is accessible on the PCCD’s website.
