Newsroom

Costa Supports Passage of Medical Marijuana Legislation

Harrisburg – May 12, 2015 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said today that he strongly supports legislation that legalizes the use of cannabis extracts to address certain medical conditions, including seizures, cancer, diabetes and chronic pain....

Legislation to Protect Construction Zone Workers Detailed

Harrisburg – May 12, 2015 – After a recent series of accidents in construction zones, a bipartisan group of senators and state officials detailed legislation today that’s designed to protect workers in the zones. Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) was...

Legislators: UPMC Using Seniors as Pawns in Fight vs. Highmark

HARRISBURG, April 9, 2015 – A bipartisan group of state legislators from western Pennsylvania released the following statement today in response to the announcement that UPMC does not intend to renew the Medicare Advantage contract with Highmark customers: "UPMC has...

Senate Democrats: Wolf Budget Proposal Bold, Responsible, Necessary

Plan includes historic tax relief, business tax shifts, education, and job initiatives Harrisburg – March 3, 2015 – Senate Democratic leaders today said that Gov. Tom Wolf’s first budget proposal is a “bold, responsible and necessary” plan designed to address issues...

Costa: Murray was Transformative Leader, Scholar, Public Servant

Harrisburg – Feb. 11, 2015 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement regarding the death of Dr. John E. Murray, Jr., chancellor and professor of law at Duquesne University.  Murray’s death was announced today.  “My thoughts and prayers are...

Costa Comments on Gov. Wolf’s Severance Tax Proposal

Harrisburg – Feb. 11, 2015 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement concerning Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to use a new proposed 5 percent gas severance tax to renew Pennsylvania’s investment in public education. The governor unveiled the plan...

Sen. Costa to Hold Community Meeting Regarding Homestead Fire

Harrisburg – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) will hold a community meeting at 6 p.m., TODAY, Feb, 10, with county, state and local officials as well as first responders, social service organizations and residents affected by the recent Homestead fire....

Costa & Vulakovich Reintroducing Waterfront Development Measure

HARRISBURG, Jan. 21, 2015 - Working to spur economic development along Pennsylvania’s waterfront areas, Senators Randy Vulakovich (R-38) and Jay Costa (D-43) are reintroducing legislation intended to encourage private investment in job creation efforts, environmental...

Costa Comments on Heroic Actions of Rankin Police Chief

 Harrisburg, Dec. 5, 2014 -- State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) expressed his thoughts today on the life-saving actions of Rankin Police Chief Ryan Wooten who responded to a serious two-vehicle crash with multiple injuries on the Rankin Bridge yesterday morning: "The...

Costa Excited to Serve Citizens in Reconfigured Senate District

Harrisburg - Dec. 1, 2014 - State Sen. Jay Costa (D- Allegheny) said today that he was excited to begin serving citizens in the newly configured 43rd Senate District. "As a result of reapportionment, all Senate districts in Pennsylvania were redrawn to adjust to...

Costa Responds to Corman’s Suggested Lame-Duck Session Comments

Harrisburg – Nov. 21, 2014 – State Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following reaction to incoming Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman’s (R-Centre) comments about the possibility of a lame-duck legislative session in January. The session...

Costa Re-elected Leader; Senate Democratic Leadership Team Chosen

Harrisburg, Nov. 12, 2014 – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) was re-elected to lead his caucus in the next legislative session. Costa will be joined by a leadership team that will assist in devising policy solutions on key issues such as job...

Costa Comments on Death of Sen. Mike Waugh

Harrisburg - Oct. 8, 2014 - State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) expressed his thoughts on the death of former Sen. Mike Waugh of York County. Senator Waugh served as a member of the General Assembly for more than 20 years. "Today Pennsylvania is mourning the loss of a...

Costa Applauds Passage of Legislation Legalizing Medical Marijuana

Harrisburg – Sept. 24, 2014 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following the statement on the Senate's passage of Senate Bill 1182, the Medical Cannabis Act. Costa’s statement is as follows: “Senate Bill 1182 opens the door to a new course of treatment...

Corbett’s Action on Budget Illustrates Republican Dysfunction

Harrisburg – July 10, 2014 – Members of Senate Democratic Leadership issued the following statements concerning Gov. Tom Corbett’s line-item veto of funding for the General Assembly and his renewed call for lawmakers to consider pension reform: Senate Democratic...

Costa Slams Corbett Budget as Shallow and Insincere

Harrisburg – June 30, 2014 – State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, (D-Allegheny) slammed Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget for Fiscal Year 2014-15 as “remarkably shallow and incredibly insincere because it manages to underfund schools, job creation and human services while being balanced by unsustainable budget gimmicks, rosy revenue projections, accounting tricks and fund transfers.

Costa Issues Statement on the UPMC-Highmark Agreement

Harrisburg – June 27, 2014 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement concerning the UPMC-Highmark transition agreement. The agreement specifies care options that will be available to health-care consumers in Western Pennsylvania beginning...

Costa’s Pooled Trust Bill Passes Senate

Harrisburg – June 17, 2014 – Legislation authored by the Democratic leader of the Senate, Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), which would improve how pooled trusts are administered, has been approved by the state Senate. “The measure changes the calculation of how funds are...