News Releases
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...
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...