Harrisburg PA – June 4, 2019 – State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Rep. Sara Innamorato (D-Pittsburgh) led House and Senate Democrats in announcing several voting reform proposals Tuesday in the Main Capitol Rotunda.
The legislators were joined by a large group of advocates and supporters pushing for automatic voter registration, no excuse absentee voting, same day voter registration and campaign finance reform. Sen. Hughes and Rep. Innamorato are proposing similar bills that would allow those eligible to register to vote when signing up for critical state services such as renewing drivers licenses or applying for a public benefit administered by the state.
“Our democracy depends on its voters, which is why we are fighting to ensure every eligible person has a chance to voice their opinion at the ballot box,” said Sen. Hughes, who is proposing Senate Bill 608. “We have a broad coalition of folks who understand this and are fighting for Pennsylvanians ability to have their voices at the ballot box. Expanding access and simplifying the processes will help do that for our communities across the commonwealth.”
Pennsylvania has 8.6 million registered voters, but less than 55 percent of voting-age citizens turned out in the 2018 midterm elections, with varying reasons impeding participation including work, illness, and other unforeseen circumstances. Research shows higher voter turnout in states that have enacted some or all of the reforms the coalition is seeking.
“Participatory government demands equal access to participation,” said Rep. Innamorato, who has proposed House Bill 1556 on automatic voter registration. “Too often, the complicated registration process we have in place poses a significant obstacle to access to the ballot. Automatic voter registration and our other proposals would make it easier for all Pennsylvanians to have a voice, get informed and be heard. We need to be removing barriers to participation, not erecting new ones. These are the first steps in the fight for a fair, secure democracy in our commonwealth and our communities.”
Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D-Springfield) discussed their proposals to expand early voting, which aim to expand voting beyond the 13-hour time frame Pennsylvania currently mandates. Both proposals would expand the time frame greatly and add options to vote on the weekend. Sen. Fontana is proposing SB 294 and Rep. O’ Mara is proposing HB 1558.
“If people don’t vote, democracy doesn’t work,” Sen. Fontana said. “If people can’t vote, we are shortchanging our democracy. During the most recent primary election last month, many counties across the state were lucky to have even a 20 percent voter turn-out. It’s obvious we need to find ways to improve voter access and participation and to me, the task is simple. We need to find ways to make voting easier and more accommodating.”
“Introducing an early voting bill is a priority for me because voting should be easier for everyone,” Rep. O’Mara said. “When I was campaigning, I met a young woman named Kate who uses a wheelchair. She told me her polling pace is not ADA accessible, and voting is a big challenge for her. So, one reason I decided to introduce early voting is so people like Kate have the ease and access to practice their constitutional right. It’s about time Pennsylvania steps up to make voting easier for all its eligible citizens.”
Sen. Judy Schwank (D- Berks) introduced her proposal for no-excuse absentee voting, SB 411, which would allow voters to submit absentee ballots for any reason. Currently, 27 other states and the District of Columbia have enacted no-excuse absentee voting.
“The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy,” Schwank said. “We need to remove needless barriers that keep people from being able to vote or from having their votes counted.”
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) announced HB 101, which aims to bring same-day voter registration to Pennsylvania while also simplifying the process. His legislation would help increase voter turnout because of increased convenience, while also maintaining integrity in the voting process by not counting same-day registrant votes until the Department of State has verified eligibility.
“The right to vote is the perfect symbol of our democracy,” Rep. Bizzarro said. “Unfortunately, it’s perfect in theory, not in practice. Our outmoded laws – including the one requiring that residents register 30 days in advance of an election to vote in that election – discourage participation by imposing unnecessary hurdles. Our legislation to streamline the process would help fix that.”
Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) is proposing shifting ballot positions for candidates running for public office in Philadelphia. The goal of SB 602 is to eliminate the advantages held by candidates who draw first position on the ballot.
“A growing number of Pennsylvanians, especially young voters, are unaffiliated with major parties or uninterested in party politics,” Sen. Williams said. “Those voters still deserve to have a voice in who represents them in city council and the mayor’s office, which is why I’m offering legislation to conduct nonpartisan, ranked-choice voting in the Commonwealth’s largest city, Philadelphia.”
Advocates in attendance included the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, Common Cause, Pennsylvania for Fair Elections, Committee of 79, League of women Voters, Brennan Center for Justice, Keystone Progress, SiX.
PITTSBURGH, April 23, 2019 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Forest Hills) and Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Brookline), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing today in Pittsburgh on strategies for combatting climate change by reducing methane gas emissions.
“Methane has a huge impact on global warming,” Costa said. “As the second largest gas-producing state in the nation, it is imperative that Pennsylvania do all it can to reduce methane emissions.”
Fontana added, “While our federal government should be taking the lead on developing policies, emissions reduction goals and coordinating a national response on climate change, our president’s shameful abandonment of the Paris climate accord makes it imperative that state leaders take the helm on this critical issue.”
Methane is an odorless, colorless, flammable greenhouse gas (CH4) that is used as fuel. It is also an important source of hydrogen and part of a wide variety of organic compounds. Methane is a huge component of natural gas and can remain in the atmosphere for about 9 to 15 years.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, methane warms our planet 86 times more than carbon emissions. Earlier this month, Andrew Williams, who serves as director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs for the Environmental Defense Fund, criticized the Pennsylvania State Department of Environmental Protection’s revised draft rule because it would only mandate the capture of 21 percent of methane emissions. If the rule were adopted, Williams claims Pennsylvania would have the least protective methane rule in the nation.
Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh), who chairs the committee, argued that the issue should not pit Pennsylvania’s environment against its economy.
“Controlling carbon emissions and building a strong economy are not competing interests,” she said. “As alternative energy sources become more reliable, affordable and efficient, we must be ready to embrace and capitalize on the economic opportunities that accompany these promising technological advances. This doesn’t need to be framed as some dire choice between poverty and pollution.
In withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord in 2017, President Donald Trump defended his decision by claiming he was “elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.” Costa and Fontana (D-Allegheny) immediately criticized the president’s decision.
In the accord, the United States had committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28 percent below the 2005 level in 2025, and to make “best efforts” to reduce emissions by 28 percent. That would include curbs on carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride and nitrogen trifluoride, all of which contribute to global warming.
Several state bills and proposals were introduced to supplement existing environmental protection efforts included in the decade-old Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation law (Act 129).
Williams urged the legislature to support Gov. Tom Wolf’s greenhouse gas reduction commitments, implement a viable methane existing source regulation and defend the Department of Environmental Protection’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases.
Rob Altenburg, Director, PennFuture Energy Center, said, “The natural gas industry is going to be part of the Pennsylvania economy for many years, but we are no longer in an era where we can ignore pollution as a natural consequence of economic growth. Avoiding the worst impacts of global warming requires that we remain under a set carbon budget – and that means that any additional emissions from the natural gas sector are emissions we will need to account for later or face the costs.
Arvind Ravikumar, an Assistant Professor of Energy Engineering for the University of Harrisburg, told the senators, “With the profusion of new technology in the methane space, falling costs for renewable energy, and competitive electric vehicle prices, protecting the environment almost becomes secondary to the potential for thousands of high-paying, clean energy jobs. The best way to give Pennsylvania businesses and industry a leg up is to help them prepare for the transition through well-crafted, cost-effective state policies.”
Today’s hearing was the second in a series of Policy Committee hearings on climate change. The committee held a hearing in Pittsburgh last November, focusing on carbon emissions.
Joining Fontana, Costa and Boscola at the hearing were Senators Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) and Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland).
Hearing participants included the following:
- Andrew Williams, Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund;
- Rebecca Kiernan, Senior Resilience Coordinator, City of Pittsburgh;
- Arvind Ravikumar, Assistant Professor of Energy Engineering, University of Harrisburg of Science and Technology;
- Jared Metcalf, USA Operations Manager, Target Emission Services;
- Rob Altenburg, Director, PennFuture Energy Center; and
- Jane Worthington and Dale Tiberie, residents of Washington County.
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Clairton, February 7, 2019 – With an overflow crowd of steel workers and concerned citizens in attendance at Clairton City Hall, a joint state Senate-House Democratic Policy Committee hearing was held today on ways to improve air quality, community notification procedures and emergency response.
The hearing was held in Clairton at the request of state Senator Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) and Representative Austin Davis (D-Allegheny). It was prompted by a December 24, 2018, fire at the Clairton Coke Works that resulted in emissions of high levels of sulfur dioxide and damage to the facility’s gas processing system.
“We need to see to it that air quality standards are properly monitored, and that local emergency response and community notification procedures are accurate and timely,” Brewster said. “To accomplish this goal, we must bring together officials from U.S. Steel, the Allegheny County Department of Health, local governments, labor organizations and emergency responders. We need to both address air quality issues and protect good paying jobs in the industry.”
Davis added, “Improving the air quality in our communities is my top priority. I appreciate the testimony of all stakeholders. As we look to improve air quality it’s imperative that we look for effective ways to do so.”
The hearing was jointly chaired by state Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh) and state Rep. Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster).
“Being raised in the shadow of the Bethlehem Steel plant, I am well aware of the seriousness of air quality issues and how communities such as Clairton must balance an economic reliance on good industrial jobs against health and environmental issues,” Boscola said.
Sturla added, “I thank Representative Davis for bringing this important issue to the House Democratic Policy Committee’s attention. This joint public hearing helps ensure that all perspectives are heard as the legislature looks for effective ways to improve air quality.”
Claiming that U.S Steel is committed to keeping the coke works operational and doing more to improve its environmental efforts, Chris Masciantonio, who serves as Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy for U.S. Steel, said, “The Mon Valley community is more than just the company’s home; it’s our company’s birthplace and where our employees work and live. The safety of our employees, our partnering contractors and our neighboring communities is paramount to our efforts.”
Masciantonio argued that placing the plant on hot idle, as some environmentalists have urged, would be a lengthy, difficult and costly process.
Don Furko, who serves as president of the United Steelworkers Local #1557, added, “Simply put, if U.S. Steel ends up idling batteries, our members will lose their jobs. This will begin a chain of events that will have a devastating impact on them, their families and our communities across the Mon Valley.”
Members of environmental organizations and Dr. Deborah Gentile of Pittsburgh testified that residents of the Mon Valley have been exposed to pollutants for decades. They said the pollution level and related health threats were compounded by the recent fire and emission exceedance.
Some of the environmentalists called for greater U.S. Steel efforts to comply with health and safety dictates and reduce pollution discharges. They also called on the Allegheny County Department of Health to step up monitoring, enforcement vigilance and provide more responsive public notification when problems arise.
Dr. Karen Hacker, director of the county health department, said the department has already ramped up its enforcement efforts. She said her agency has imposed direct enforcement orders and civil penalties. She said the department’s expanded legal team has also stepped up inspections, toughened penalties and collaborated with state and federal environmental enforcement agencies.
“The department will continue to be proactive and aggressive to improve air quality in our county, as our actions indicate,” she said. “We will continue to improve our communication via our current strategies through additional opportunities such as mobile phone applications and direct communication with citizens, municipal leaders and legislators.”
The hearing follows a January 22 public meeting in Clairton. Brewster, Davis and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny) and Austin Davis (D-Allegheny) were also updated on January 25 by officials from the Allegheny County Health Department.
Joining Brewster, Boscola and Costa at today’s hearing were Senators Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny). In addition to Davis, Sturla and Kortz, Representatives Summer Lee, Ed Gainey, Dan Miller, Brandon Markosek and Sara Innamorato (all D-Allegheny) attended.
Those who testified included:
Panel from U.S. Steel Corporation:
- Chris Masciantonio, Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy
- Mike Rhoades, Plant Manager, Clairton Coke Works
- Tishie Woodwell, General Manager, Environmental Affairs
- Kurt Barshick, General Manager, Mon Valley Works
- Jim Futrell, Vice President of Market Research and Analysis, Allegheny Conference on Community Development
Panel from Allegheny County Health Department:
- Dr. Karen Hacker, Director
- Jim Kelly, Deputy Director for Environmental Health
- Michael Parker, Solicitor
- Dr. LuAnn Brink, Chief Epidemiologist
Panel from area unions:
- Don Furko, President, United Steel Workers Local 1557
- Jeff Nobers, Executive Director, Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania
- Ken Broadbent, Business Manager, Steamfitters Local Union 449
Panel of health and environmental advocates:
- Dr. Deborah Gentile, Physician, Pediatric Alliance
- Rachel Filippini, Executive Director, Group Against Smog & Pollution
- Matt Mehalik, Executive Director, Breathe Project
- Ashleigh Deemer, Western Pennsylvania Director, PennEnvironment
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PITTSBURGH, February 1, 2019 – State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today jointly announced a $650,000 state grant to provide open space and transportation improvements to the 28-acre former Civic Arena site in Pittsburgh.
“I am pleased that these state dollars will help advance this effort to beautify and improve access in that section of the city,” Costa said. “I will continue to work with Senator Fontana and local officials to make Pittsburgh even more accommodating and attractive to residents and visitors.”
Fontana added, “The arena is a linchpin that will continue to attract both business and residential investment in the lower Hill District portion of our city. This state support will help advance and enhance the city’s redevelopment efforts.”
The $650,000 in state Multimodal Transportation funds will be awarded to the Sports and Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County for a new three-acre public open space that will provide improvements to intersections, the streetscape, provide new pedestrian pathways, bicycle routes, a bus stop, bikeshare station, and upgrade stormwater management, energy-efficient lighting, and other public amenities. The development work will take place on the so-called “cap” over I-579 that connects the 28-acre former Civic Arena site to downtown.
The multimodal funds (Act 89 of 2013), administered by PennDOT, support ports and rail freight, increase aviation investments, establish dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements and allow targeted funding for priority investments in any mode. The grants are aimed at improving efficiency, safety and transportation mobility.
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HARRISBURG, PA − January 16, 2019 −Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus stood together Wednesday, outlining the impacts of the federal shutdown on their constituents and addressing potential remedies at a state level.
“In my county of Allegheny, we have about 150,000 folks who will be impacted by the change to SNAP benefits, and we want to make certain that they understand what they can do and what steps they can take during this federal shutdown,” said Senate Democratic leader Jay Costa.
“Far too many real people with real needs have been affected by a senseless federal government shutdown and are at risk of suffering through no fault of their own,” Senator Vincent Hughes said. “We want to make sure the 1.8 million Pennsylvanians who receive SNAP benefits are aware of the shutdown’s impact and have the information they need to receive services through February and beyond.”
“The federal shutdown impacts Pennsylvanians in more ways than many people appreciate,” said Senator Shariff Street. “I along with several colleagues have encouraged our financial institutions to extend resources to federal workers so that they can provide for their children, pay utility bills and continue to function during this time.”
Senator Art Haywood stated that if the federal shutdown continues, there will be no SNAP payments for the month of February.
“Make the SNAP benefits last. You will get two payments this month and are expected to have that last with no certain end date to the federal government shutdown,” said Senator Haywood. “Donald Trump said, ‘what do you have to lose?’ and now we are finding out.”
“An additional component of this federal shutdown is the effect on science, and the effect on what we rely on to keep us safe and healthy,” said Senator Daylin Leach.
Leach spoke to the fact that during the shutdown federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration are not doing their regular inspections of food, the Nation Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is not tracking and publishing weather patterns, and many scientists who work for the federal government are leaving for the private sector jobs.
Also in attendance at today’s press conference were Senators Andy Dinniman, Lindsey Williams, Steve Santarsiero, Anthony Williams, Maria Collett, Tim Kearney, Wayne Fontana, Larry Farnese and Katie Muth.
For more information about Pennsylvania resources for those struggling during this shutdown of the federal government, visit pasenate.com/snap for more information.
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Watch full press conference below.
