Newsroom
Approaching 120 Days: Senators Jay Costa and Amanda M. Cappelletti Address the Legislature’s Responsibility to Respond to Commonwealth v. Lee
Harrisburg – July 23, 2026 – The Pennsylvania Supreme Court deemed mandatory life sentences for people convicted of second-degree felony murder unconstitutional on March 26, 2026. The landmark Court ruling was then stayed, giving the Pennsylvania General Assembly 120...
Senator Jay Costa Announces RACP Funding for Allegheny County
PITTSBURGH, PA – July 17, 2026 − Yesterday, the Office of the Budget met today to award Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funding throughout the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Democratic State Government Chair Steve Santarsiero, Strongly Condemn Trump’s Attempts to Rig Elections
HARRISBURG, PA – July 17, 2026 − Yesterday, President Donald Trump took an extraordinary step in his years-long efforts to undermine faith in US elections by delivering a prime-time speech disparaging American elections workers, spewing baseless allegations about...
Senator Costa Joins Governor Shapiro, Secretary Dr. Rowe, Legislators, Educators, and Students Celebrate Historic Investments in Education Secured in 2026-27 Budget
Monroeville, PA – July 16, 2026 − Today, Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe, teachers, students, and local elected leaders visited Gateway High School in Allegheny County to highlight how the 2026-27 budget signed by the Governor is delivering $678 million in additional funding for Pennsylvania students – building on three years of historic progress to give every student the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.
Governor Shapiro, Secretary Dr. Rowe, Legislators, Educators, and Students Celebrate Historic Investments in Education Secured in 2026-27 Budget
Senator Costa Celebrated Education Funding in 2026-27 PA Budget at Gateway High School
Senators Jay Costa, Lindsey Williams, and Wayne Fontana Announce over $33 Million in PENNVEST Funding for Allegheny County
PITTSBURGH, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) held a Board Meeting to award loan and grant funding for the latest round of applicants. Together, Senators Jay Costa, Lindsey Williams, and Wayne Fontana announce that The...
2026-2027 PA Budget Signing
Senate Democratic Leaders Celebrates Signing of 2026-27 Pennsylvania Budget into Law
The $50.85 billion 2026-27 Pennsylvania Budget Builds on Four Years of Targeted Investments in Affordability, Safety, and Education
HARRISBURG, PA − July 12, 2026 − On Sunday, July 12, Senate Democrats joined House Democrats in the Governor’s Reception Room to participate in the signing of the 2026-27 Pennsylvania Budget, a $50.85 billion spending plan that passed the House and Senate along bipartisan lines.
Senator Costa Speaks in Favor of 2026-27 Pennsylvania Budget
Raise the Wage Presser June 30, 2026
Senator Costa Hosts Media Availability to Address Senate Republicans Voting to Recess Without Budget Deal, June 30, 2026
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Forces Vote to Consider June 10 Discharge Petition to Raise PA’s Minimum Wage
HARRISBURG, PA: Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) made a motion to force the Senate to vote on whether to take up his June 10 discharge petition, which would force HB 2189 out of committee and onto the full Senate calendar. This was not a vote on...
Senator Costa Opposes Motion to Recess Without Budget Deal, June 30, 2026
Senator Costa Marks 20 Years since PA Legislature Raise the Minimum Wage
Senate Democrats Highlight Housing Legislation to Deliver Safe, Affordable Housing to Every Pennsylvanian
HARRISBURG, PA − June 24, 2026 − Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucusgathered in the Main Capitol Rotunda today to champion bills, initiatives, and investments that will bring down the cost of housing for Pennsylvanians and empower renters. “As...
Senator Costa Highlights Housing Priorities
Senate Democrats Highlight Housing Priorities
Senator Costa Champions Legislation to Bring Down Energy Costs
Session Spotlight :: June 8, 2026
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Files Discharge Petition for HB 2189, Urges Senate Republicans to Raise PA’s Minimum Wage
HARRISBURG, PA − June 10, 2026 − Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) filed a discharge petition for House Bill 2189, introduced by Representative Dawkins. Passed along bipartisan lines in March, this bill would increase the minimum wage to $15 over...
Senator Costa Files Discharge Petition for HB 2189 to Raise the Wage
Senate and House Democrats Call on Senate Republicans to take up House Bill 2189 and Raise Pennsylvania’s Minimum Wage
HARRISBURG, PA − June 10, 2026 − Today, members of the Senate Democratic Caucus rallied in support of a bill to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage from $7.25/hour, where it has stayed since 2009. "Senate Republicans have no excuse for continuing to deny hardworking...
Senate Democrats Provide Critical, Unanimous Support for Passage of Senate Bill 908 as a Key Victory for Pennsylvania’s Workers
HARRISBURG, PA – June 10, 2026 − Today, Senate Democrats provided critical and necessary support for the successful passage of Senate Bill 908, which ensures that work done on public projects is included in the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act. This bill, long...
Senator Costa Urges Senate Republicans to Raise the Wage
Lawmakers and Advocates Call for Enactment of Legislation to Protect Manufactured Home Communities
HARRISBURG, PA — June 9, 2026 — Pennsylvania lawmakers joined advocates and manufactured home residents today to voice support for legislation that would protect homeowners from steep land-lot rent increases. Across the country, manufactured home communities are...
Session Spotlight :: June 1, 2026
Joint Statement Condemning Recent Threats of Political Violence
Harrisburg, PA − May 13, 2026 − The following statement was issued by House Speaker Joanna McClinton, Majority Leader Matt Bradford, Republican Leader Jesse Topper and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa regarding the recent threats of violence targeted at members of...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Responds to Threats on Lawmakers’ Lives
HARRISBURG, PA – May 12, 2026 − Following reports of the arrest of an individual accused of making terroristic threats against Pennsylvania state legislators, including members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa offers the following...