January 28, 2011 – The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland – Pittsburgh Branch and Govern for Kids hosted Sen. Costa for a breakfast forum focused on policy affecting children.
Sen. Costa poses for a photo with Michelle Figlar from the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children and Kristen Burns from the Grable Foundation
Robert Schaub, Vice President & Senior Regional Officer of the Pittsburgh Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank kicked the morning off and spoke about the research the Federal Reserve is doing around children’s issues and its programs to teach children financial literacy.
Sen. Costa then provided an overview of the successes Pennsylvania has had improving the lives of children in the recent past, and the challenges the Commonwealth faces in the coming year.
Topics ranged from early care and education to school choice legislation currently pending in the state Senate.
Sen. Costa then answered a wide array of questions from the audience of child advocates, business owners and students from a local high school.
Govern for Kids is a coalition of child advocates, parents and concerned citizens convened by the United Way of Allegheny County.To learn more go to:
http://governforkids.org.
December 30, 2010 — Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa is pleased to announce $750,000 in state redevelopment assistance grant money has been awarded to complete the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) project. Until now, a one-mile long gap in the trail in West Homestead and the City of Pittsburgh has been a missing link in the 135 mile trail.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GREAT ALLEGHENY PASSAGE
“We’ve worked hard to revitalize the area that was hit so hard by the departure of the Homestead Works. These efforts are paying off, and completion of this trail is a huge win for the folks who work and play here,” said Costa. “Not only is this a valuable resource for those who will be able to spend quality time outdoors, but the economic impact this trail has on the area can’t be understated. It attracts over 700,000 visitors every year, who spend millions of dollars and help to fuel the area’s turnaround.”
It is estimated that over $40 million in indirect spending is seen in trail towns annually. 88 businesses have been created over the past several years because of GAP.
“The completion of the Great Allegheny Passage is a transformational moment for our region, both economically and recreationally,” said Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato. “This trail has been improving the economy and quality of life in towns throughout the Laurel Highlands and Southwestern Pennsylvania, and now its benefits will spread north through the Mon Valley and into the City of Pittsburgh.”
“I want to thank the Commonwealth, especially Governor Ed Rendell and Senator Jay Costa, for continued support of this project. With the help of our generous foundation community and enthusiastic trail users, we have come a long way toward the completion of this incredible trail. But, we wouldn’t be on the home stretch without the state’s support.”
Linda McKenna Boxx, president of the Allegheny Trail Alliance, was enthusiastic in her thanks to the Governor, Senator Costa and Allegheny County for this important funding. “Only one mile remains to finance to complete the Great Allegheny Passage” she stated. “There will be a significant jump in traffic once the last link to Pittsburgh is completed. The trail is truly having an economic impact in the communities through which it passes, and we look forward to revitalization in the Mon Valley communities. Pittsburgh will truly become a biking Mecca. We are thrilled to have this commitment through RACP to jump start the campaign for the last mile.”
The Great Allegheny Passage is a 135 mile hiking and biking trail that will connect Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland. The trail system has been 35 years in the making and funding has come from individual trail users, local governments, private foundations and corporations, and state and federal grants.
Work is expected to be completed, offering hikers and cyclists full use of the facilities in January 2012.
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November 17, 2010 –State Senate Democrats today elected Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) as their new Democratic floor leader.
“I am honored that my Senate Democratic colleagues have expressed the confidence in me to lead them in the next session. I hope to provide strong, aggressive and unified leadership as we work together to solve problems,” Costa said.
Last session, Costa was elected by his colleagues to serve as Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He was first elected to the Senate in 1996 and previously served as Allegheny County Register of Wills (1992-96) and Deputy Sheriff (1984-89).
Costa succeeds retiring Democratic Leader Bob Mellow (D-Lackawanna/
Luzerne/Monroe), who held the position since 1989.
Other Democratic senators were also elected to the leadership slate.
Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) was elected Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee chairman. Hughes has served in the state legislature since 1987. He was elected to the Senate in 1994 and most recently served as Democratic Caucus chairman.
“We have to find common ground and work together — and we will,” Hughes said. “Job creation needs to be a top priority and I will work with my colleagues to ensure that their good ideas contribute to our collective solution.”
Sen. Michael A. O’Pake (D-Berks) was re-elected Senate Democratic whip. He was first elected to the state Senate in 1972 after serving two terms in the state House of Representatives.
“I am grateful to my Senate Democratic colleagues for their continued trust and support,” O’Pake said. “I look forward to working on tough issues such as property tax reform with my colleagues to help Berks County and Pennsylvania residents.”
Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D-Phila./Delaware) was elected caucus chairman. Williams first joined the Senate in 1998. He began his career in public service at the age of 31, first winning office as a state representative.
“By working together with all senators from across the state we can craft solutions that really impact lives,” Williams said. “Our caucus stands firm for working families, improving schools and enhancing the daily lives of all Pennsylvanians.”
The new Democratic Caucus secretary is Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia). She was elected to the Senate in 1994. Prior to her election to the Senate, the Philadelphia Democrat served as business representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.
“The Senate Democratic leadership team is strong and balanced and represents diverse views,” Tartaglione said. “We have the ability to explore new ideas and initiatives and will move forward together.”
Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Fayette/Somerset) was re-elected Senate Democratic Policy Committee chairman. Kasunic was elected to the Senate in November 1994 but also served as a member of the state House of Representatives.
“I have always prided myself in providing a forum for open discussion and dialogue on important issues facing all Pennsylvanians,” Kasunic said. “I pledge to keep the policy committee active and viable.”
Elected to the leadership team as caucus administrator was Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh/Monroe). Boscola was first elected to the state House in 1994. She was elected to the Senate in 1998.
“I will bring a unique perspective from a growing part of Pennsylvania to the Senate Democratic leadership team,” Boscola said. “We need to be unified and vigilant as we deal with pressing issues like a tight state budget, reapportionment and creating jobs for working men and women. “
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Sen. Costa addresses the audience gathered for the "Legislative Meet & Greet Breakfast" held by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts in Shadyside.
Sen. Costa was joined by Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council Board Chairman Bill Bodine (left, back row) of the Frick Art and Historical Center and some of the constituents of the 43rd Senatorial District who received funding from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts this year.
Patricia Penka French, board president of the Bulgarian Macedonian National Educational and Cultural Center, chats with Sen. Costa.
- Sen. Costa explains to the audience that the arts impact Pennsylvania’s economy in a substantial way, providing nearly 62,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the arts industry in Pennsylvania.
