News Releases
Senator Costa Announces $8 Million in State Grants for his District
Pittsburgh, Pa. – August 1, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced more than $8 million in state grants that will go to projects in the 43rd senatorial district. “I’m proud to have advocated for these projects in our area, and excited to see...
PA Senate Democratic Caucus Decries Changes to SNAP Program, Urges PA Congressional Delegation to Oppose
Harrisburg, Pa. – July 29, 2019 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus sent a letter to the state’s congressional delegation, urging that the federal Department of Agriculture does not end automatic eligibility for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance...
Senator Costa Celebrates Fresh Food Grants to Local Schools
PITTSBURGH, PA – July 15, 2019 – Today, Senator Jay Costa announced the award of federal grants to local elementary schools to fund healthy, fresh food programs for students. “Our young students can’t learn properly if they aren’t properly fed,” said Senator Costa. “A...
Housing Funds Approved for Key Projects in Region, Costa says
Harrisburg – July 11, 2019 – More than $1.2 million in funding for a wide range of critical housing projects in Allegheny County was approved by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said today. “The dollars approved for these...
Senate Democrats Applaud Wolf’s Swift Action to Fund Voting Security Upgrades
Harrisburg – July 9, 2019 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today applauded the swift action by Gov. Tom Wolf and his administration to fund essential county voting security upgrades via the issuance of up to $90 million in bonds. The bond...
Senate Democrats Highlight Funding for Affordable Housing in the PA FY2019-20 Budget
Harrisburg – July 1, 2019 – The just-passed state budget for Fiscal Year 2019-20 included a large increase in funding for the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE). Several members of the Senate Democratic Caucus...
Senator Costa Supports State Budget, Looks to Fall Session to Accomplish Policy Goals
Harrisburg – June 27, 2019 – Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. voted in support of the Fiscal Year 2019-20 General Appropriations budget which is now headed to Governor Tom Wolf’s desk; Senator Costa looks forward to returning to session in the fall...
Members of The General Assembly & Statewide Advocates Hosted News Conference Defending General Assistance
Harrisburg – June 24, 2019 – Health and Human Services Committee Democratic Chairman State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) joined members of the PA General Assembly and statewide advocates to fight to protect the General Assistance program. House Bill...
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...