News Releases
Members of Pa Senate Democratic Caucus Request Disaster Declaration on Gun Violence
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 24, 2019 − Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today jointly sent a letter to Governor Tom Wolf requesting a disaster declaration for gun violence in the Commonwealth. “We believe it is necessary to raise the public’s awareness...
Sen. Costa Response to UPMC Ruling in Commonwealth Court
I am disappointed to see UPMC prevail in today’s ruling from the Commonwealth Court. Their unwillingness to prioritize patient care ahead of their profit margin cannot go on. If we don’t have a solution to the contract dispute by June 30, many folks in Western Pennsylvania will be thrown into health care chaos.
I’ll continue my work on the legislative solution, and I hope that AG Shapiro immediately begins work on an appeal of this decision to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Senator Costa Responds to Senator Leach’s Statement Regarding Independent Review of Allegations
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 6, 2019 − The Senate Democratic Caucus recently reviewed findings compiled by independent counsel into allegations against Senator Daylin Leach; its preliminary report found a lengthy pattern of troubling behavior spanning several years...
Senator Costa to Introduce Cap and Invest Bill for Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pa. − June 6, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today circulated a memo asking for cosponsors for a bill to create a “Cap and Invest” program for the state’s electric power sector. “The federal government has abdicated responsibility on...
Senator Costa and Representative Davis Announce $100k for Carnegie Library of Homestead
Homestead, Pa. − June 5, 2019 − Senator Jay Costa and Representative Austin Davis today announced the award of $100,000 in state grate money to the Carnegie Library of Homestead. The award comes from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission as part of its...
Senate, House Members Unveil Elections Reform Proposals
Harrisburg PA – June 4, 2019 – State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and Rep. Sara Innamorato (D-Pittsburgh) led House and Senate Democrats in announcing several voting reform proposals Tuesday in the Main Capitol Rotunda. The legislators were...
Senator Costa Announces Funding for Transportation Projects in Pittsburgh, Swissvale and Churchill
Pittsburgh, Pa. − May 29, 2019 − Senator Jay Costa, Jr. today announced state funding for transportation projects in the 43rd senatorial district, paid for by the Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) program. The ARLE program aims to improve safety at intersections...
Senator Costa Applauds Supreme Court Ruling, Calls for Continued Work on Health Care Access
Pittsburgh, Pa. − May 28, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. expressed hopefulness at today’s ruling from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in the case of Commonwealth vs. UPMC. In a 4-3 decision, the Supreme Court reversed and remanded the case back to the...
State Officials and Advocates Kick Off Real Jobs, Real Pay Tour
Pennsylvania − May 20, 2019 − Advocates, lawmakers and state officials will participate in tours and a statewide day of action on Thursday, May 23rd with businesses that choose to pay their employees a living wage. Pennsylvania’s minimum wage remains at a regional low...
State Legislators Announce Legislation Addressing Hate Crimes
Squirrel Hill, Pa. − May 9, 2019 − Members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate stood together today outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh to announce plans for legislation that will address hate crimes. “Hate crimes are on...
Senator Costa Congratulates Elliot Howsie on Appointment to Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
Harrisburg, Pa. − May 7, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. congratulated Elliot Howsie on his confirmed appointment to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Howsie was appointed by Governor Tom Wolf following Senator Costa’s recommendation and was...
Senator Costa Announces $150,000 in Local Senior Center Grants
Pittsburgh, PA − May 3, 2019 − Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. announced grant awards to three senior centers in the 43rd Senatorial District. “Pennsylvania has an aging population, and it’s important that we invest in our seniors,” said Senator Costa....
Sen. Costa responds to PA House member tweet calling construction workers “Nazis”
Pittsburgh, PA − May 2, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following reaction to a recent tweet from a Pennsylvania House member comparing union pipeline construction workers to Nazis: “It is disappointing and unacceptable for anyone to...
Senator Costa Announces $350,000 for Community Empowerment Association to Address Violence and Its Aftermath
Harrisburg, Pa. − April 30, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. announced today that the Pennsylvania School Safety and Security Fund awarded $350,000 to the Community Empowerment Association, Inc. to fund its work in violence prevention and the treatment...
Senator Costa Announces $350,000 in Anti Violence Grant for Woodland Hills School District & Communities
Harrisburg, Pa. − April 30, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. announced today $350,000 in state grant funding in a violence prevention initiative for the Woodland Hills School District communities in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Action Against...
Governor Tom Wolf Announces Support for SB600, PA to Join Us Climate Alliance
Harrisburg, PA − April 29, 2019 − At a press event earlier today at the State Capitol, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced his decision for the state to join the U.S. Climate Alliance, and offered his support for Senators Steve Santarsiero and Art Haywood’s...
State Senate Committee Holds Second Hearing on Global Warming
PITTSBURGH, April 23, 2019 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Forest Hills) and Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Brookline), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing today in Pittsburgh on strategies for combatting climate change by...
Sen. Costa Recommendation Elliot Howsie Nominated for Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
Pittsburgh, PA – March 29, 2019 – Earlier today, Governor Tom Wolf nominated Allegheny County Public Defender Elliot Howsie to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Donna Jo McDaniel. “I was honored to recommend Elliot Howsie,” said Senator Jay...
Senator Costa Announces $10 Million in State Funding for Hazelwood
Hazelwood, Pa – March 27, 2019 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. announced $10 million in state funding for Hazelwood. “This is the kind of development and investment that Hazelwood needs,” said Senator Costa. “A project of this magnitude can help this...
Senator Costa and Local State Representatives Announce more than $1.5 Million in State Funding for Transportation Projects
HARRISBURG, PA, March 26, 2019 – Today, Senator Jay Costa, Jr. and local state representatives announced funding of more than $1.5 million for multi-modal transportation projects. “We have a growing region, but to continue that development we have to make...
Democrats Introduce Package of Legislation to Curb Workplace Harassment
HARRISBURG, PA, March 26, 2019 – Democrats from the Pennsylvania House and Senate today introduced a package of legislation aimed to curb harassment in the workplace, along with support from Governor Tom Wolf and Victim’s Advocate Jennifer Storm. “As a caucus, we’ve...
Senators Williams, Costa, and Hughes Introduce PA Workplace Freedom Act
Pittsburgh, Pa. − March 14, 2019 − Senators Lindsey M. Williams, Jay Costa, and Vincent J. Hughes, joined by local elected officials, Allegheny County Labor Council members, and a crowd of union workers, announced the introduction of the Workplace Freedom Act today at...
Joint State Legislative Hearing in Clairton Focuses on Improving Air Quality
Clairton, February 7, 2019 – With an overflow crowd of steel workers and concerned citizens in attendance at Clairton City Hall, a joint state Senate-House Democratic Policy Committee hearing was held today on ways to improve air quality, community notification...
Senator Costa to Introduce Legislation to Halt UPMC Highmark Divorce, Require Productive, Ongoing Relationship for Benefit of Healthcare Consumers
Pittsburgh, Pa. − February 6, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today circulated a memo seeking cosponsors for legislation that would require UPMC and Highmark to either contract with each other for services or enter mandatory arbitration if they fail to...
Costa and Fontana Announce $650,000 for Open Space Project Near Arena
PITTSBURGH, February 1, 2019 – State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today jointly announced a $650,000 state grant to provide open space and transportation improvements to the 28-acre former Civic Arena site in Pittsburgh. “I am pleased...
Senator Costa & Rep Deluca Announce $3 Million Grant for Project in Penn Hills
Penn Hills, Pa. – February 1, 2019 – Today, Senator Jay Costa and Representative Tony DeLuca announced $3 million in state funds for a roadway project in Penn Hills Township. The grant comes from the Multimodal Fund and will be used to repave and improve roadways...
Legislators, County Health Department Officials Discuss Clairton Coke Works Fire, Aftermath
McKeesport – January 25, 2019 – State Sens. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland), Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and state Reps. Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny) and Austin Davis (D-Allegheny) received an update from officials from the Allegheny County Health Department concerning the Dec. 24 fire at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works.
Senator Costa, Reps. Gainey and Innamorato, and Mayor Peduto Announce Property Tax Relief Plan for Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pa. − January 22, 2019 − At a press event today in Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto’s office, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr., Representatives Ed Gainey and Sara Innamorato, and the Mayor announced plans for a property tax relief program...
Senator Costa to Introduce Unemployment Compensation Loan Plan for Federal Employees During Shutdown
Harrisburg, PA − January 17, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today circulated a memo seeking cosponsors for a bill that would create a no-interest loan fund for federal employees during the shutdown. Federal employees that are working are not...
Sens. Costa, Brewster & Rep. Davis Calls for Immediate Action at Clairton Coke Works
Mon Valley, Pa. − January 17, 2019 − The Mon Valley is in the midst of a public health situation; one that could have been avoided, and one that needs to be immediately remedied. Since the US Steel Corp.’s Clairton Coke Works fire on Dec. 24th, the plant has...