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.
Martes, 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
Harrisburg – Dec. 3, 2014 – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Phila.) said the $ 2 billion plus budget deficit disclosed at today’s Mid-Year Budget Briefing should be laid at the feet of Gov. Tom Corbett and his Republican legislative allies.
The briefing, hosted by the Corbett administration, is an annual Diciembre event that provides a budget status report to legislative leaders.
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Costa and Hughes’ released the following statements in reaction to today’s disclosure:
Sen. Jay Costa:
“The Republicans who created the $2 billion-plus deficit need to be accountable and take responsibility for closing this gaping hole. This was all so predictable. Senate Democrats couldn’t have been clearer about the budget gimmicks and short-term fixes that were contained in last year’s Republican budget.
“We said that the budget was badly flawed and that’s why we were so strongly opposed to the spending plan. The Corbett administration and Republicans in the House and Senate need to acknowledge their role in making Pennsylvania’s fiscal house a shambles.
“The mid-year briefing was a sad closing commentary on failed, short-sighted policies. It’s clear that the Corbett administration failed to have a plan on how to manage resources and provide strategic investments to move Pennsylvania forward.”
Sen. Vincent Hughes:
“The cause of the problem is simple: Over the past four years Republicans failed to articulate and implement a jobs plan that makes growing our economy a priority. Going from ninth to dead last among all states in job creation in four years demonstrates how little attention has been paid to actual state of Pennsylvania’s economy.
“What is even more frustrating is, despite their lack of vision, creativity and effective policies, the Corbett administration and the Republican-controlled House and Senate still found a way to reward their corporate friends with billions in tax cuts at the expense of education, social safety net programs and the middle class.
“Senate Democrats have predicted this result since year one of the Corbett administration. Unfortunately, the Republican majorities in the House and Senate were willing co-conspirators in the pilfering of the commonwealth’s finances. Now we must focus on the arduous task of placing Pennsylvania back on strong financial ground. We look forward to working with Governor-elect Wolf and the new leadership in the House and Senate Republican caucuses to make sure that happens.”
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Media contact: Stacey Witalec, 717 877-2997
Senate Democratic Caucus and Sen. Jay Costa
switalec@pasenate.com
Ben Waxman
Office of Sen. Vincent J. Hughes
215-266-4598
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Harrisburg – Dec. 1, 2014 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D- Allegheny) said today that he was excited to begin serving citizens in the newly configured 43rd Senate District.
“As a result of reapportionment, all Senate districts in Pennsylvania were redrawn to adjust to changes in population,” Costa said. “The district was reconfigured within Allegheny County and includes the largest portion of the City of Pittsburgh as well as communities in the Steel Valley and the East Hills.”
The new district alignments took effect today.
Costa said that his local offices are well-positioned to serve the new areas of the district and build relationships just as he has done in municipalities that remain in the district. His district offices are located in Forest Hills, Carrick and Homestead.
“I am very proud of the constituent service that is provided by the staff in our district offices and how they reach out to solve problems,” Costa said. “I look forward to working with community leaders and building rapport with citizens in the new sections of our district.”
Costa said that he conducts many local events including town halls, shredding events, veterans outreach, flu shot clinics and provides specific services.
The district now includes Mt. Oliver and the following wards in the City of Pittsburgh: 4, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 29 and 31. Also included in the district are Munhall, Homestead, West Homestead, Whitaker, and Rankin in the Steel Valley. The East Hills communities are Oakmont, Verona, Penn Hills, Churchill, Wilkinsburg, Braddock Hills, Forest Hills, Chalfant, Swissvale, Wilkins Township and Edgewood.
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