Newsroom

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...

UPMC/Highmark Impasse Update

October 18, 2011 - Sen. Costa joined a bipartisan group of House and Senate members from Western Pennsylvania to update the public on the ongoing efforts to bring an end to the UPMC/Highmark impasse. [hdvideo id=14 ] "We have strongly urged both of these entities to...

Senate Democrats Roll Out Jobs Plan

HARRSIBURG – State Senate Democrats today unveiled their revised job creation plan, called “PA Works Now,” which they claim would create 80,000 new jobs and leverage billions in private investment to generate jobs and economic activity.

Hearing Held on Highmark/UPMC Dispute

PITTSBURGH - September 13, 2011 -Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) joined members of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee for a public hearing in Pittsburgh regarding the ongoing contract dispute between the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center...

Costa Appoints Gregory Fajt to PA Gaming Control Board

Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today announced the appointment of Gregory Fajt to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Fajt most recently served as the board’s chairman, appointed by Governor Ed Rendell in 2009.

Costa Receives Bob O’Connor Leadership Award

PITTSBURGH – Sen. Costa recently received the Bob O'Connor JA Leadership Award for 2011 for his "exemplary leadership and profound impact" on Western Pennsylvania. LEARN MORE Junior Achievement of Western PA Costa received the award earlier this summer at Junior...

Back to the Negotiating Table, Lawmakers Urge

Protecting access to good health care for residents is a top concern for regional lawmakers as the leaders and members of the General Assembly today urged Highmark and UPMC to get back to the bargaining table.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Made Available

Homestead Mayor Betty Esper was lucky to escape with her life in November 2010 when a blocked vent pipe in her home caused a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide that sent both her and a tenant who lived in the home to the hospital for treatment.

Costa Honored by Neighborhood Legal Services

Sen. Costa was recently honored by the Neighborhood Legal Services Association for his work to promote the mission of the NLSA in providing legal services to individuals and families in Western Pennsylvania.

Costa fights to restore cuts made to University of Pittsburgh

Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa continued to push Republican leadership to restore unreasonably deep budget cuts on Sunday night by introducing an amendment to restore state funding to the University of Pittsburgh to last year’s level without raising any taxes or fees.