News Releases
Western PA State Legislators Unveil Police and Community Relation Reform Legislation
Pittsburgh, PA − September 13, 2018 − Following the death of Antwon Rose, Jr. earlier this year, and other incidents around the state and nation, state legislators from Western Pennsylvania began work on legislation regarding police management and community...
‘All Pa. workers have a right to breathe free’
PITTSBURGH, September 11, 2018 – On the 10th anniversary of the start of Pennsylvania’s Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA), elected officials joined with advocates to celebrate the health benefits of a decade of the law and to call for extending those same benefits to all employees in Pennsylvania.
Senator Costa and Rep. Davis Announce $500,000 Grant for Carnegie Library of Homestead
Munhall, PA − September 6, 2018 − Senator Jay Costa, Jr. and Representative Austin Davis today announced the award of $500,000 to the Carnegie Library of Homestead for improvements to its Music Hall. “The Carnegie libraries and our community libraries are an...
Senator Costa & Rep. Gainey Announce $1,000,000 State Grant in Wilkinsburg
Wilkinsburg, Pa. − September 5, 2018 − Today, Senator Jay Costa, Jr. announced the award of $1,000,000 to the Chatham University for the creation of a new turf field after the merger of Wilkinsburg and Westinghouse high schools in the Borough of Wilkinsburg....
Senators Costa & Fontana Congratulate Pittsburgh School District on $1.6 Million State Education Grant
Pittsburgh, Pa. − August 27, 2018 − Senators Jay Costa, Jr. and Wayne D. Fontana jointly congratulated the Pittsburgh School District on the award of $1.6 million from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to support school improvement. “I want to...
Senator Costa Statement Regarding the Release of the Grand Jury Report on Abuse in the Catholic Church
PITTSBURGH, PA − August 14, 2018 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. released the following statement regarding the release of the Grand Jury report on abuse in the Catholic Church: I applaud Attorney General Josh Shapiro for his committed work in...
Senator Costa Congratulates School Districts Awarded Health Food Grants
Allegheny County, Pa – July 30, 2018 – Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced $5 million in grants to school districts that are providing students with fresh fruits and vegetables during the school day; several of the grant awardees are in Senate Democratic Leader Jay...
Senator Costa Hears Testimony on Improving Police & Community Relations
Wilkinsburg, Pa. − July 17, 2018 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today attended a joint hearing of the Pennsylvania House and Senate Policy Committees regarding police and community relations. “Improving relations between police departments and the...
Senator Costa to Introduce Police Training Legislation
PITTSBURGH, PA − June 29, 2018 −In the wake of tragic officer-involved shootings across the commonwealth, and the nation, I am developing and will be introducing legislation to address these situations. I believe it is important that the General Assembly develop...
Senate Dems Introduce Legislation to Combat Janus Ruling
HARRISBURG, PA − June 27, 2018 − The PA Senate Dems filed the below cosponsorship memo this afternoon to combat the potential negative impacts of the SCOTUS ruling on Janus vs AFSCME today. Here’s a statement from Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. Today’s decision...
Pa Senate Democrats Applaud On-Time Budget with Investments in Education, Health Care, Workforce Development and Social Justice
HARRISBURG, PA − June 22, 2018 − The Pennsylvania Senate passed the state budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19 (House Bill 2121) by a vote of 47-2. “In January, the Senate Democratic caucus outlined our priorities for the year and this budget puts the money where our mouths...
PA Senate Democrats Vote Against Aument Amendment to Senate Bill 22, Decry Hypocrisy
HARRISBURG, PA − June 12, 2018 − The Pennsylvania Senate Democrats voted unanimously against a Senator Aument amendment to create judicial districts, as part of the redistricting reform bill, Senate Bill 22. Ultimately, the amendment passed by a partisan vote of...
Senator Costa Outlines Concerns with Amended Senate Bill 22
HARRISBURG, PA − June 6, 2018 − For the past several months, the Senate has been working with constituents and advocacy organizations to improve the fairness of Pennsylvania’s redistricting process. That work took the shape of Senate Bill 22, sponsored by a majority...
Costa Bill on Public Health Emergencies Advances in the Senate
Pittsburgh, Pa. − May 22, 2018 − The Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously in support of Senate Bill 1001, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr.‘s legislation that will allow the Department of Health to declare public health emergencies. The...
Senator Costa Applauds Certification of UPMC as Academic Clinical Research Program for Medical Marijuana
Pittsburgh, PA − May 8, 2018 − Governor Tom Wolf today announced the certification of eight medical facilities as academic, clinical research programs for medical marijuana. Among those certified is the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Senate...
Veto the Drug Formulary, Governor Wolf
Op-ed By Senator Jay Costa, Jr. & Rep. Frank Dermody
Sitting on Governor Tom Wolf’s desk right now is Senate Bill 936 – legislation that would interfere with the relationship between an injured worker and their doctor, as a way to save money for the insurance industry.
Senator Costa Announces $150,000 in Grants to Allegheny County Senior Community Centers
Pittsburgh, PA − April 20, 2018 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced nearly $150,000 in state grants will go to senior community centers in his district. “Senior centers play a critical role in our communities,” said Senator Costa....
Senator Costa Announces $250,000 in State Grant Funding for Apprenticeship Programs
Pittsburgh, PA − April 3, 2018 − Today Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. announced the award of nearly $250,000 in state funding for apprenticeship and job training projects in Allegheny County. “Apprenticeships are a valuable, accessible tool for reaching...
Senator Costa Announces New Historical Marker in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pa. − March 29, 2018 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced the addition of an official Pennsylvania Historical Marker in Pittsburgh: film director Lois Weber. Lois Weber was the first American woman film director and a pioneer in...
Costa and Dermody Praise Wolf’s Fair Election Initiative
HARRISBURG, March 26, 2018 − Top Democrats in the House and Senate embraced Gov. Tom Wolf’s pledge of support for their ongoing efforts to reform the way political campaigns are paid for in Pennsylvania. “Our democratic form of government is designed to be...
Sen. Costa Remarks on Senate Domestic Violence Package
Harrisburg – March 21, 2018 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement on the domestic violence package that passed today in the senate: Earlier today, the Senate moved to prevent domestic violence and protect its victims. Among these...
Senator Costa Releases Statement on Federal Redistricting Ruling
Harrisburg – March 19, 2018 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement on today’s decision from the federal court on redistricting: I applaud the federal court for denying the Republican challenge to the new map. The map provided by the...
Senator Costa to Host Roundtable Discussion on Women in Government, Advocacy and the Private Sector
Pittsburgh, PA – March 12, 2018 – On Thursday, March 22, Senator Jay Costa, Jr. will host and moderate a roundtable discussion at the Carnegie Library in Oakland. The event is titled “A Conversation on Women in Government, Advocacy, and the Private Sector” and...
Senator Costa Announces $200,000 Grant to Verona Borough
PITTSBURGH, PA – February 27, 2018 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa today announced that the Borough of Verona will receive a $200,000 grant from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to install Automated Red-Light Enforcement (ARLE). Verona...
Senator Costa Releases Statement on Divesting State Funds from Companies that Produce Assault Weapons
Harrisburg – February 22, 2018 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement divesting state funds from companies that produce assault weapons: “Following the recent and tragic school shooting in Parkland, I was mortified to learn that the...
Costa Releases Statement on Submission of Senate Democratic Congressional Map to Supreme Court
Harrisburg – February 15, 2018 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement concerning the submission of a congressional redistricting plan to the state Supreme Court. Senate Democrats submitted the plan following the court’s...
Senator Costa Supports Governor Wolf’s Rejection of GOP Map
Harrisburg, Pa. − February 13, 2018 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa fully supports Governor Wolf’s decision to reject the maps presented to him last week by just two Republican members. “A proposal that makes districts slightly more compact but no more fair...
Senator Costa Applauds Pittsburgh’s Financial Recovery & Termination of Act 47 Status
Pittsburgh – February 12, 2018 − After 14 years of financial recovery, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and local officials today signed Pittsburgh’s official release from this status. “This has been a long road for the City, but I...
Senator Costa and Representative Dermody Send Joint Letter to Governor on Republican Map Submission
Harrisburg, PA − February 9, 2018 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody send letter to Gov. Wolf condemning the congressional redistricting map shared with his office saying this: "This map was not the product of...
An Update on the Opioid Crisis in Pennsylvania
February 7, 2018 − State Senator Jay Costa has been leading the effort to stem the terrible impact of the opioid epidemic for years. As the Senate Democratic Leader, co-chair of the PA HOPE caucus (the Pennsylvania Heroin, Opioid Prevention and Education Caucus) and a...