News Releases
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...
Senator Costa Statement on Penn Hill School District
Pittsburgh, PA − January 16, 2019 − Senator Costa released the below statement on Penn Hill School District:
Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced that the Penn Hills School District will be taking its next steps toward complete financial recovery by entering the Commonwealth’s Financial Recovery Program. While in financial watch status PDE identified several areas that the district can improve upon to put it on solid financial footing. This new program will bring expert staff and new resources to Penn Hills to ensure that they stay on course to full financial recovery, while maintaining local control.
Senate Democratic Caucus Details Local Impacts of Federal Shutdown, Outline State Remedies
HARRISBURG, PA − January 16, 2019 −Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus stood together Wednesday, outlining the impacts of the federal shutdown on their constituents and addressing potential remedies at a state level. “In my county of Allegheny, we have...
Pa Senate Democratic Caucus Releases Committee Assignments
HARRISBURG, January 16, 2019 − Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus released its committee assignments for the 2019-20 legislative session. “Committee meetings offer our members and the public the best opportunity to learn about legislation, and it’s...
State Senators Write Banks Asking Institutions to help 12,000 Federal Employees Working without Pay
Harrisburg, PA – January 10, 2019 – On behalf of the 12,000 Pennsylvania federal employees, contractors and subcontractors who are not receiving a paycheck during the partial federal government shutdown, Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery),...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. Announces Committee Chairs for 2019-20 Legislative Session
Harrisburg – January 7, 2019 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced the Democratic chairs for each of the Senate committees in the 2019-20 legislative session, which officially began earlier this month. The committees, listed here...
Senate Democrats Introduce Legislation to Protect Health Care for Pennsylvanians
Harrisburg – December 20, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus continues its fight to protect the major tenets of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) through two legislative proposals that would ensure comprehensive, quality and affordable...
Western PA Senators Announce Funding For Affordable Housing
Pittsburgh, Pa. – December 14, 2018 – Today, Senators Jay Costa, Wayne D. Fontana and Senator-elect Lindsey Williams announced $2.2 million in state grant funding to promote affordable housing in Western Pennsylvania. “While the city has seen a surge of...
Senator Costa and Representative Rep. Frankel Announce $1M PCCD Grant for Victims of Tree of Life Mass Shooting
Pittsburgh, Pa. – December 12, 2018 – Following the mass shooting attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has granted a $1 million grant for the victims, Senator Jay Costa, Jr. and Rep....
Democratic leaders will serve on Redistricting Reform Commission
HARRISBURG, December 3, 2018 – The Democratic leaders of the House and Senate will both serve on the bipartisan Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission formed by Gov. Tom Wolf and they intend to participate fully in the panel’s work. Sen. Jay Costa and Rep. Frank...
Costa Endorses Report of Commission that Examined Fire and Emergency Services Issues
Harrisburg – November 28, 2018 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. (D-Allegheny) released the following statement regarding the adoption of the report from a select commission that examined issues impacting fire and emergency services. Costa served as a...
Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus Re-Elects Full Leadership Team
HARRISBURG, PA − November 14, 2018 − The entire leadership team of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus was reelected today to serve its membership for the 2019-20 legislative session. The Senate Democratic Caucus won five new seats in the 2018 midterm...
Senator Costa Announces Nearly $700,000 in Community Conservation Grants
PITTSBURGH, November 14, 2018 − Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. announced the award of nearly $700,000 in grants for community conservation projects in the 43rd Senatorial District. “These grants are a worthwhile investment to protect our natural...
Senator Costa Announces $150,000 in Safety and Security Grants
Pittsburgh, Pa. − October 30, 2018 − Sen. Jay Costa (D- Allegheny County) today announced that $150,000 in School Safety and Security grants were awarded to school districts in the 43rd district through the School Safety and Security Committee within...
Senator Costa’s Statement on SB 261, Grand Jury Recommendations
HARRISBURG, October 17, 2018 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. released the following statement on what transpired tonight on the legislation regarding the grand jury recommendations on child sex abuse: Since first reading its report, I have been a...
Senators Fontana, Costa and Vulakovich Announce Water Line Replacement Dollars
HARRISBURG, October 17, 2018 – State Senators Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny), Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny) today announced $49 million in state funds to replace 28,000 residential lead lateral connections in Pittsburgh. “I am pleased that...
Sen. Costa Releases Statement on HB2060, Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence
Harrisburg – October 3, 2018 – State Sen. Jay Costa released a statement on HB2060, Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence: "Today is an historic day. We have finally passed substantive legislation to protect the victims of domestic violence, and it...
Senator Costa Applauds the Passage of Automated Speed Enforcement for Workzones
HARRISBURG, PA, October 2, 2018 − After years of debate, today the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 172 which allows for automated speed enforcement for active work zones. “Active construction zones on highways can be dangerous places – both for drivers and for...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. Submits Written Testimony to EPA on Fuel Economy Standards
HARRISBURG, PA, September 25, 2018 – The Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public meeting in Pittsburgh today regarding a proposal to eliminate fuel economy standards on vehicles; Senator Costa submitted written testimony in opposition as he was unable...
State Legislators Unveil Police and Community Relation Reform Legislation
Harrisburg, PA − September 25, 2018 − Following the death of Antwon Rose, Jr. earlier this year, and other incidents around the state and nation, state legislators began work on legislation regarding police management and community relations. Today, Senators...
Senator Costa & Representative Deluca Announce $500,000 in State Grants for Local Water & Sewer Projects
PITTSBURGH, PA − September 18, 2018 − Senator Jay Costa and Representative Tony DeLuca today announced the award of more than $500,000 for local water and sewer projects. “The quality of water infrastructure is a critical issue, at the national and local...
Senator Costa & Representative Paul Costa Announce $400,000 in State Grants for Local Projects
PITTSBURGH, PA − September 18, 2018 − Senator Jay Costa and Representative Paul Costa today announced the award of more than $400,000 for local projects. “Unfortunately, municipalities often lack the funds that they need to make critical repairs to their...
Senator Costa & Representative Gainey Announce $250,000 in State Grants for Wilkinsburg Water & Sewer Project
PITTSBURGH, PA − September 18, 2018 −Senator Jay Costa and Representative Ed Gainey today announced a state grant award for a water and sewer project in Wilkinsburg. “Access to clean water and a reliable sewer system is something that every citizen of...