Harrisburg – Feb. 11, 2015 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement regarding the death of Dr. John E. Murray, Jr., chancellor and professor of law at Duquesne University. Murray’s death was announced today.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Murray’s family and his legion of friends today as we mourn his death. He was an outstanding teacher, public servant and scholar whose work will impact lives for years to come. Dr. Murray was a life-changing teacher, but an even better person. He lived an extraordinary life and provided insight, advice and counsel for students and public officials for more than 50 years.
“Dr. Murray was widely regarded as the preeminent expert on contracts and the Uniform Commercial Code. His work,Murray on Contracts, has been used by law professors and students for many years and has been cited in judicial opinions by numerous courts. He was an author and teacher without peer who was able to make even reluctant law students understand the law’s complex beauty.
“As President of Duquesne University, he guided the school through a very tumultuous period and helped restore its national reputation. In civic affairs, as chair of ComPAC 21, Dr. Murray used his leadership skills, calm demeanor and balanced approach to craft recommendations that reformed Allegheny County government.
“Dr. Murray was an exceptional person who looked for, and found, good in virtually everyone he met. He was a transformative figure in the history of Duquesne University, the legal community and families throughout our region.”
Contact:
Stacey Witalec| Press Secretary
535 Main Capitol | Harrisburg, Pa 17120
Phone:(717)772-2368 | Cell:(717)877-2997
www.senatorcosta.com
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Harrisburg – Feb. 11, 2015 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement concerning Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to use a new proposed 5 percent gas severance tax to renew Pennsylvania’s investment in public education. The governor unveiled the plan today at an event in Thorndale.
“The governor has made a responsible and balanced proposal to tax the shale industry to help fund education. The connection between the proposed severance tax and educational investments makes sense. The new tax will provide resources that will help reverse the devastating impact of the $1 billion in education cuts made by the Corbett administration that have plagued the education community.
“Investing in education and meeting the needs of schools, students and taxpayers requires new resources. Using the proceeds of a reasonable tax on shale drilling is a policy option that should be explored in detail by lawmakers.
“Pennsylvania’s current impact fee is insufficient and does not help schools and taxpayers. Governor Wolf’s proposed Pennsylvania Education Reinvestment Act is the correct, balanced approach that will generate additional revenues from the Marcellus industry. This reasonable proposal will allow Pennsylvania gas to be competitive in the market and will not overburden the industry.”
According to the governor’s office, the new severance tax proposal is modeled on the West Virginia approach. Wolf’s plan would continue to make payments to impacted communities and they would be held harmless. The plan also includes exemptions for certain wells and protections for property owners who lease land for exploration.
Harrisburg – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) will hold a community meeting at 6 p.m., TODAY, Feb, 10, with county, state and local officials as well as first responders, social service organizations and residents affected by the recent Homestead fire.
The discussion will focus on disaster response, the coordination of available community services and resources, meeting the needs of the community moving forward, and possible legislative remedies to disaster response problems.
Media coverage is invited.
Tuesday, Feb. 10
6 p.m.
Homestead Borough Building
221 East 7th Avenue
Homestead
Media contact: Stacey Witalec, 717 877-2997
Email: switalec@pasenate.com
Harrisburg – Feb 9, 2014 – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Senate Democratic Health and Welfare Committee Chair Shirley Kitchen (D-Philadelphia) released the following statement after Gov. Wolf announced plans today to move forward with Medicaid expansion:
Sen. Jay Costa:
“Today’s announcement by Gov. Wolf is a defining moment and a sign of hope for the future for more than half a million Pennsylvanians caught in healthcare chaos created during the ‘Healthy PA’ era. The governor’s message today signals a clear shift in the direction Pennsylvania is heading – one that ensures vulnerable citizens have access to critical healthcare services while creating jobs and helping to provide significant annual savings to the state budget.
“Medicaid expansion makes the same sense today as it did years ago when this discussion started. As we said all along, it is responsible, meaningful and good public policy and one that saves the taxpayers more than a billion dollars over the next three to four years.
“I am proud to stand in support of the governor’s decision to move this program forward.
Sen. Shirley Kitchen:
“This is a good day for Pennsylvanians who need affordable health care insurance but do not need the hassles and headaches of Healthy PA.” It’s also a good day for people who need work, and the governor’s decision will also help to bring new economic opportunity to Pennsylvania.”
Kitchen spearheaded a Jan. 28 letter from the Senate Democratic Caucus to Gov. Wolf asking him to replace Healthy PA with the larger and fully paid for Medicaid expansion program.
“Healthy PA had to go because it was rife with problems. Whether it was unequal application of the program’s guidelines or unfair cuts in benefits to people with disabilities and pregnant women, Healthy PA was anything but healthy.”
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HARRISBURG, Jan. 21, 2015 – Working to spur economic development along Pennsylvania’s waterfront areas, Senators Randy Vulakovich (R-38) and Jay Costa (D-43) are reintroducing legislation intended to encourage private investment in job creation efforts, environmental improvements and public recreational enhancements.
Senate Bill 282, the Waterfront Development Tax Credit, would establish a $10 million Tax Credit to encourage the private sector to invest in waterfront development. The Tax Credit would be available to individuals or businesses that contribute to non-profit waterfront improvement organizations. The organizations and the projects would need approval by the Department of Community and Economic Development prior to participation in the tax credit program.
The measure was originally introduced the legislation during the 2013-14 Legislative Session. It was considered and approved by the Senate Finance Committee, but didn’t receive a vote by the full Senate prior to the end of the session.
Senator Vulakovich cites Pittsburgh’s riverfront redevelopment efforts as an example of the benefit of investment in those projects. “Since the inception of Riverlife in 1999, Pittsburgh has seen the investment of about $130 million directly in 10 riverfront projects and over $4 billion of additional adjacent investment in the form of corporate headquarters and office buildings, hotels, sports and entertainment complexes and residences,” said Sen. Vulakovich. “That represents about $30 in resulting investments in projects adjacent to the rivers for every dollar invested directly in riverfront projects.”
Under Senate Bill 282, contributions would be used for specific waterfront development projects, such as: streets and public rights-of-way; waterfront parks, gardens and open spaces; access to public utilities, erosion control, storm water management and other environmental projects which promote economic development; water transportation facilities for use by the public, including water transit landings and boat docking; and amenities, including infrastructure and recreational projects.
“Pennsylvania’s waterfront areas offer dynamic opportunities for economic development and public recreation which would enhance communities and the quality of life of residents, while attracting visitors,” said Senator Costa. “However, these areas often require significant investment to redevelop due to barriers including abandoned industrial uses and contamination. Our bill provides a way for organizations and private investors to work together to restore those areas in ways that will provide long-term benefits to communities throughout the Commonwealth.”
Senate Bill 282 has been introduced and referred to the Senate Finance Committee for its consideration.
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Contacts: Nate Silcox (717) 787-6538
Stacy Witalec (717) 787-7683
Harrisburg, Dec. 5, 2014 — State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) expressed his thoughts today on the life-saving actions of Rankin Police Chief Ryan Wooten who responded to a serious two-vehicle crash with multiple injuries on the Rankin Bridge yesterday morning:
“The actions of Police Chief Wooten to resuscitate a small child involved in the accident were extraordinary, heroic and selfless. I have known Chief Wooten for many years. He is a role model whose service and leadership have made our community a better place.
“Chief Wooten’s actions personify the unwavering commitment and dedication our first responders have to the communities and the people they are sworn to serve. Our Steel Valley communities are fortunate to have an officer like Chief Wooten among their ranks.
“My thoughts and prayers continue to be with everyone involved in this serious accident, including the young child saved by Chief Wooten.”
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Media contact: Stacey Witalec, 717 877-2997
Senate Democratic Caucus and Sen. Jay Costa
switalec@pasenate.com
