Newsroom

Costa Legislation to Alter Improvement District Voting

HARRISBURG – May 14, 2012 – Under a bill to be introduced by state Sen. Jay Costa, the practice of Neighborhood Improvement Districts counting unreturned ballots as “yes” votes in district elections would be discontinued. A Neighborhood Improvement District is a...

Weiss Appointed to Audit Commission on Costa’s Recommendation

Harrisburg – May 8, 2012 – A nationally known public sector legal authority with vast experience in municipal, education and tax law has been appointed to the Legislative Audit Advisory Commission on the recommendation of state Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny). Costa, the...

Sen. Costa Statement on Highmark-UPMC Contract

HARRISBURG, May 2, 2012 — Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today issued the following statement on the agreement between Highmark and UPMC: “The extension of the contract between Highmark and UPMC is good news and it’s the right thing to do for all...

Costa Releases Statement on Reapportionment Commission Vote

HARRISBURG, April 12, 2012 –-Statement of Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Senate Democratic Leader, on his vote against the Preliminary Reapportionment Plan that was approved by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission on a 4-1 vote:
“While the Preliminary Plan retains the Senate Democratic seats in Western Pennsylvania, the plan does not go far enough in addressing the requirements of the Supreme Court and, therefore, I could not support the plan.

Senate Democrats Outline Budget Priorities, Investment Strategy

Harrisburg – April 3, 2012 – At a news conference outside the doors of the Senate Chamber, state Senate Democrats unveiled a budget plan calling for more than $1 billion in new investments to help create jobs, fund education and repair the social safety net. The...

Texting While Driving Ban Takes Effect in PA

HARRISBURG, March 7, 2012-- Pennsylvania takes an important step toward making its roadways safer for drivers when the ban on texting while driving goes into effect this week, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa said today. “Distracted drivers are a significant risk on...

Voter ID Bill Diminishes Rights of Pennsylvanians

HARRISBURG, March 7, 2012 - - Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa today voted against another Republican led effort to take rights away from Pennsylvanians. After hours of floor remarks in opposition to the Republican Voter ID bill, the Senate passed House Bill 934 by...

Costa Welcomes 8-year-old Advocate

Sen. Costa had the pleasure of spending time with 8-year-old Chloe Kondrich at his Forest Hills office to hear more about the importance of early Intervention and early childhood education.

Democrats Lament Corbett’s Lack of Leadership on Transportation

Pittsburgh, January 31, 2012 – Noting the six months of inaction since Gov. Tom Corbett’s blue ribbon transportation commission released its final report, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today joined county and legislative leaders in Pittsburgh to...

Senate Democrats Say Budget Should Move PA Forward

Harrisburg – January 25, 2012 – Senate Democrats, led by Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes and others, today called on the governor to make job creation, tax fairness, education funding, shale and the restoration of funds for safety net programs budget priorities.

Senate Democrats Denounce Plan to Implement Asset Tests for SNAP

HARRISBURG, Jan. 24, 2012 — State Sen. Shirley Kitchen and fellow Senate Democratic Caucus members today strongly denounced the Corbett administration’s plan to establish asset tests to determine eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.

Sen. Costa Enjoys a Day at WPSBC

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 5, 2011 -- Sen. Costa dances with students and staff at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children’s 125th “birthday.” celebration. Learn more at wpsbc.org.

Democrats to Governor Corbett, GOP legislature: Where’s the leadership?

HARRISBURG, Dec. 20 – Democratic leaders from the state House and Senate joined together today to urge Governor Tom Corbett and leaders of the Republican-controlled legislature to end their extreme ideological crusade and to begin leading on the issues that matter to working, middle-class families.

Costa Votes Against LRC Final Plan

HARRISBURG, December 12, 2011 – – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) expressed disappointment with the final legislative redistricting plan which was passed by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission today by a 4-1 vote. An amendment introduced by Costa which proposed a more balanced plan was voted down 3-2 along party lines.

Education Improving but Faces Funding Issues

HARRISBURG, November 15, 2011 - Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa was joined by former Gov. Ed Rendell at a capitol news conference to draw attention to a recent report that shows Pennsylvania is one of just a few states that made significant progress from 2003 to...

Costa Applauds Passage of Concussion Management Legislation

HARRISBURG, November 1, 2011 - Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) hailed Senate passage of legislation which will establish guidelines regarding management of concussions and head injuries to student athletes.  The unanimous vote in favor of Senate Bill 200 sends it to...

Costa Details his Opposition to School Vouchers

HARRISBURG, October 26, 2011 - - Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa speaks on the floor of the Senate to detail his opposition to the school vouchers legislation (SB 1). [hdvideo id=16 ]

Costa, Wozniak Say Action on Transportation Crisis Will Create Jobs

HARRISBURG, October 19, 2011 - - Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Democratic Transportation Chairman John Wozniak today released the following statements regarding Pennsylvania’s transportation crisis: Senator Jay Costa, (D-Allegheny): “It is extremely important...