Newsroom
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...
Session Spotlight :: May 4, 2026
Senate Democrats Decry Wasted Session Time, Urge Senate Republicans to Focus on PA Budget and Affordability Crisis
HARRISBURG, PA – May 6, 2026 − Today, May 6, is the Senate’s final day in session until June 1, 2026. But despite the lengthy break, Senate Republicans moved no bills to raise wages, bring down costs, or work on the 2026-27 Pennsylvania Budget, due on June 30. On...
America 250 Senate Ceremonial Celebration
Pennsylvania State Senate Honors America 250 with Ceremonial Gathering in Philadelphia
Let’s celebrate the Keystone State’s contributions to America 250 – It all started in Philadelphia!
PHILADELPHIA – May 5, 2026 − With the U.S. Semiquincentennial less than two months away, the Pennsylvania State Senate held a ceremonial gathering honoring America’s 250th birthday at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Files Two Discharge Petitions for Window to Justice Legislation
HARRISBURG, PA – May 4, 2026 − Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa filed discharge petitions for House Bill 462 and House Bill 464, which both open a Window to Justice for adult survivors of child sex abuse. Both bills passed the House of Representatives in June...
Senator Costa Files Discharge Petitions for Window to Justice Legislation
Senator Costa Talks Affordability Action Plan on This Week in Pennsylvania
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Responds to Louisiana v. Callais
HARRISBURG, PA – April 29, 2026 − Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Louisiana v. Callais, holding that a plaintiff alleging race-based discrimination under the Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 will be successful only if they can prove that there was a “strong inference of intentional discrimination” by the State and using an impossible legal test for any future plaintiff to meet in doing so.
Senate Democratic Caucus Files Amicus Brief in Support of City of Philadelphia to Protect Black History at President’s House Exhibit
HARRISBURG, PA – April 27, 2026 − The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today filed an amicus brief in support of the City of Philadelphia urging the Third Circuit Court of Appeals to require the National Park Service to fully restore and maintain the exhibits...
Session Spotlight :: April 20, 2026
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Condemns Treasurer’s Denial of Security Upgrades to Governor’s Residence
HARRISBURG, PA – In response to State Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s letter stating her refusal to approve funds for security upgrades to Governor Shapiro’s residence, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa offers the following statement on behalf of the Pennsylvania Senate...
Senate Democrats Champion Affordability Action Plan to Bring Down Costs and Expand Economic Opportunities to PA Families
HARRISBURG, PA − April 21, 2026 − Today, members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus were joined by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis to hold a press conference in the Main Capitol Rotunda to kick off their Affordability Action Plan, which highlights...
Senator Costa Kicks off Affordability Action Plan
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Commends Commonwealth Court Decision Ending State Prohibition on Reproductive Healthcare Spending
HARRISBURG, PA – April 20, 2026 − Today, the Commonwealth Court issued a decision holding that reproductive choice is a fundamental right guaranteed by the PA constitution, and that the state’s MA coverage prohibition on abortion services violates the Equal Rights...
Senators Fontana and Costa Announce over $21 Million in PENNVEST Funding for Allegheny County
Allegheny County – April 15, 2026 – Today, Senators Wayne Fontana and Jay Costa announce that the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) awarded a loan of $21,770,999 to Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority (PWSA) for a water main replacement...
Senators Jay Costa, Lindsey Williams, and Wayne Fontana Announce over $53 Million in PENNVEST Funding for Allegheny County
PITTSBURGH, PA – April 15, 2026 − 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...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Announces Nearly $2 Million in Keystone Grants for Libraries in the 43rd District
PITTSBURGH, PA – April 7, 2026 − Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa announces $1,900,000 in funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Commonwealth Libraries benefitting three libraries in the 43rd Senatorial District. Keystone grants...