Harrisburg, PA − November 15, 2022 − The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today elected its leadership team for the 2023-24 legislative session.
The Senate Democratic Caucus proudly welcomes a new member, Senator Nick Miller of Allentown.
The new and returning members elected the following Caucus Leadership Team:
- Leader – Jay Costa, Jr.
- Caucus Whip – Tina Tartaglione
- Appropriations Committee Chair – Vincent Hughes
- Appropriations Vice Chair – Tim Kearney
- Caucus Chair – Wayne D. Fontana
- Caucus Secretary – Maria Collett
- Administrator – Judy Schwank
“I am honored and humbled to announce that I will be serving as the Leader of the PA Senate Democratic Caucus for the next two years. I’d like to thank my fellow Democratic senators for entrusting me with this responsibility, and I hope to do our caucus proud,” said Senator Jay Costa. “I am excited about the work before us, and I am honored to be leading the Democratic caucus as we continue to deliver for PA’s families. Let’s get it done.”
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October 26, 2022 – Today, Senator Jay Costa, Senator Wayne Fontana, and Senator Lindsey Williams announce a $46,054,410 PENNVEST Loan for the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) to replace old and failing inlets and catch basins.
“All of us deserve clean, potable water and a system that prevents the pollution of our rivers and streams,” said Senator Costa. “This funding from PENNVEST will allow the PWSA to improve the infrastructure of our storm water systems to ensure that we are keeping debris and refuse out of our waterways. I am proud of this work and look forward to seeing this project come to fruition.”
“Replacing these catch basins and inlets is a major investment in the health of our people, our environment, and our infrastructure,” said Senator Lindsey Williams. “This work will ensure that residents have clean drinking water, keep litter and other debris out of our waterways, and improve the safety of our roads and stormwater infrastructure. By prioritizing these investments from the state level, we’re able to make sure that PWSA is able to make these critical repairs without passing on costs to people who are already facing high utility bills.”
“I’m proud to see PENNVEST continue to make substantial investments in the PWSA to support clean and reliable water systems in Allegheny County,” said Senator Fontana. “Some of our water infrastructure is about 100 years old. These projects address that aging infrastructure to ensure residents always have access to clean drinking water and that our communities are using systems that are efficient and do not waste water.”
Across Pittsburgh, approximately 3,600 inlets and catch basins have collected storm water for nearly 100 years. This system serves nearly one hundred thousand customers whose median household income falls below the statewide median household income. PWSA will replace all inlets and catch basins over the next three years with support from this PENNVEST Funding.
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Pittsburgh, PA − July 21, 2022 – Pennsylvania State Senators from Allegheny County including Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Senator Wayne Fontana and Senator Lindsey Williams announced a $200+ million dollar loan for the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) awarded by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).
“I’m thrilled to see PENNVEST support the infrastructure of Pittsburgh’s drinking water in such a substantial way,” said Senator Cota. “These funds support PWSA’s plan to modernize a key function of our area and ultimately prioritize the continuous accessibility of clean water to every resident and visitor of Allegheny County.”
The PENNVEST loan of $209,005,329 will be used to support PWSA’s Water Reliability Plan, an effort to modernize and improve the region’s water system. According to PWSA, the plan will take about six years and invest nearly $470 million in large-scale water improvement projects which include replacing a 114-year-old clearwell and reducing contaminant infiltration at the Highland No. 2 Reservoir.
“This loan will support once-in-a-generation upgrades to water infrastructure in Allegheny County,” said Senator Fontana. “There’s too many examples of the harm and damage that can occur when we let infrastructure needs go unmet and then scramble to fix the problem after it’s too late. PWSA’s plan gets us ahead of that scenario. The thoughtful effort to make their system more modern, reliable, and sustainable will ensure that residents always have access to clean drinking water.”
“Investing in the water infrastructure of our region is a huge priority for me, so it’s wonderful to see the largest loan in PENNVEST history go to PWSA to rehabilitate and replace the facility at Highland No.2 Reservoir,” said Senator Williams. “Ensuring that we have clean, safe drinking water without imposing rate hikes is absolutely crucial, especially as inflation and rising utility costs impact working families.”
In addition to improving the reliability and long-term sustainability of Pittsburgh’s water system, the project will also address a Department of Environmental Protection Consent Order and Agreement to maintain the volume, quality, and disinfection of the system’s water.
PENNVEST serves communities and citizens of Pennsylvania by funding sewer, storm water and drinking water projects. These projects not only contribute to improving Pennsylvania’s environment and the health of its people, but also provide opportunities for economic growth and jobs for Pennsylvania’s workers. More information is available on the PENNVEST website: https://www.pennvest.pa.gov.
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Harrisburg, PA – June 7, 2022 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats filed six discharge resolutions in an effort to move anti-gun violence and reform legislation to the floor of the State Senate for a vote. While Senate Republicans have moved bills that would make guns more accessible and make it harder for municipalities to address gun violence, bills from Senate Democrats that would strengthen gun safety in the Commonwealth have been stalled in committee.
Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa issued the following statement on the latest attempt from Senate Democrats to address the serious gun violence problem that exists in Pennsylvania and across the country:
“Every day we hear about more gun deaths – just this weekend there was a mass shooting on South Street in Philadelphia – yet the majority does nothing. Yes, multiple solutions are needed to solve the gun violence epidemic. Part of that is passing common sense gun laws that don’t impede on Second Amendment rights but improve our systems to ensure only responsible gun owners have access to firearms. We must protect our communities, and we must act now.
Our caucus has done everything within our power to move forward legislation that would directly address gaps in our law that make guns accessible to individuals who are a threat to others or themselves, yet the majority in Harrisburg hasn’t moved one single anti-gun violence bill out of committee. The six discharge resolutions give our Republican colleagues another opportunity to act in the best interest of their constituents and our Commonwealth.
It’s tragic and horrifying to think in the wake of multiple mass shootings across the country and the ongoing gun violence epidemic being felt in communities throughout Pennsylvania, that we’d continue to do nothing. It’s far past time we stop sending thoughts and prayers, and instead take action.”
The discharge resolutions were filed for the following bills:
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HARRISBURG – May 25, 2022 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats wrote the following letter to Republican leaders in response to rampant gun violence and mass shootings that have become too common in the United States. Just this year, 215 mass shootings have taken place in the country, with the devastating shooting that occurred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, 2022, being the 215th.
In the letter, the caucus calls on the Republican majority to act on “reasonable and responsible legislation and appropriations” that does not infringe on Second Amendment rights but will help keep guns away from bad actors and support gun violence prevention. Senate Democrats list seven bills that have been introduced to mitigate gun violence but have sat in committee with no discussion or votes. They also highlight how American Rescue Plan dollars and Pennsylvania’s current budget surplus can be used to help communities prevent horrific violence.
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