News Releases
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.
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Celebrates Passage of House Minimum Wage Bill, Calls for Swift Movement in Senate
HARRISBURG, PA – March 24, 2026 – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa offers the following statement on the final passage of HB 2189: “The PA House of Representatives today passed a minimum wage bill that, in one swift motion, champions working families,...
Shapiro Administration Continues Commitment to Revitalizing Pittsburgh, Highlights $3.3 Million Investment to Support a More Vibrant Downtown
The recent Neighborhood Assistance Program award to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership will help create a cleaner, safer downtown over the next six years. Since Governor Josh Shapiro united the public, private, and non-profit sector behind a concrete plan to...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Announces Over $1.7 Million in PCCD Grant Funding for the 43rd Senatorial District
PITTSBURGH, PA – March 11, 2026 − Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa announces $1,798,040 in funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) benefitting the 43rd district, encompassing parts of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Lauds Governor Shapiro’s Housing Action Plan, Urges Bipartisanship to Enact Priorities
PITTSBURGH, PA: Today, Governor Josh Shapiro joined members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, stakeholders, and activists in Philadelphia to celebrate his Housing Action Plan, which will expand housing access and opportunity across the commonwealth. Building on...
Senators Maria Collett and Jay Costa Lead Senate Democrats in Affirming Constitutional Rights, Introducing Resolution Condemning Unconstitutional Use of Force by Federal Immigration Officers
Harrisburg, PA — January 27, 2026 − Senator Maria Collett (D-12, Montgomery, Caucus Chair) and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-43, Allegheny) announced plans to introduce a new resolution affirming that constitutional rights guaranteed by the United States and...