News Releases
Lawmakers Rally to Denounce ‘Repeal and Replace’ Health Care Plan
HARRISBURG, June 26, 2017 — Lawmakers from the state Senate and House of Representatives, along with Wolf Administration officials and advocates, denounced the latest attempt in Washington to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act during a rally today at the State...
Lawmakers Unveil Legislation Creating Trust Fund for Youth Impacted by Prison System
HARRISBURG, June 21, 2017 — A bipartisan group of state senators and Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel today unveiled legislation to establish a public charitable trust to help children impacted by the prison system and reverse the direction...
Costa Thanks Attorney General Shapiro for Opioid Marketing Investigation
Harrisburg – June 15, 2017 – State Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement thanking Attorney General Josh Shapiro for joining the investigation into potentially misleading pharmaceutical marketing campaigns. “We can’t simply wish this problem...
Costa Takes Steps to hold Pharmaceutical Industry Accountable for Opioid Crisis
Harrisburg – June 15, 2017 – State Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today signaled his intent to introduce a resolution urging Governor Tom Wolf and Attorney General Josh Shapiro to file suit against the pharmaceutical industry for deceptive and unfair marketing...
Senate Democrats, Pittsburgh Mayor Advance Efforts on Climate Change Despite Trump
Harrisburg – June 13, 2017 – Committed to positioning Pennsylvania as a leader in the battle against global climate change, Sens. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware), along with Pittsburgh Mayor...
Costa, Fontana React to Trump Paris Accord Decision; Redouble Efforts in Pa
Harrisburg – June 3, 2017 – Stunned at President Donald J. Trump’s dismissal of climate change and abandonment of the Paris climate accord, Senators Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) today stated their intentions to position Pennsylvania to lead...
Costa: Local Community Revitalization Efforts Bolstered by State Grant Funds
Harrisburg, May 18, 2017 — Two local organizations focused on community revitalization will share $375,000 in state grant funds to further their efforts, State Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) announced today. “We’re so fortunate to have organizations in our...
Costa Legislation Will Protect Kids from School Lunch Shaming
Harrisburg – May 10, 2017 – Concerned at reported mistreatment of children with low balances on school lunch accounts, State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today introduced legislation that would prohibit “lunch shaming” by school administrators and staff. “These...
Costa: Environmental Education Grants Awarded to Benefit Student
Harrisburg, April 21, 2017 — Efforts to educate local students about environmental issues will be bolstered by more than $50,000 in state Environmental Education Grant funding, Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) announced today. “There is nothing more important than providing...
Costa Drives Housing Grant Funding to Local Communities
Homewood and Hazelwood to receive significant investments Harrisburg, April 13, 2017 — Three Pittsburgh communities will share $300,000 in state grant funds awarded through Pennsylvania’s Housing Affordability Rehabilitation and Enhancement Act (PHARE), also known as...
Costa Reacts to Passing of Pittsburgh Steelers Owner Dan Rooney
Harrisburg, April 13, 2017 — State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) expressed his thoughts and offered condolences on the passing of Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney earlier today. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Rooney was 84 years old. “Today Pennsylvania...
Costa Pleased with Settlement Between Uber and Public Utility Commission
HARRISBURG, April 6, 2017 – State Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement after the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved the proposed settlement agreement with ride sharing company Uber Technologies. While a proponent of Act...
Honor Transportation Commitment to Mon Valley and Eastern Suburban Communities
Costa, Brewster insist that Turnpike dollars are obligated to improve regional access Harrisburg – March 31, 2017 – State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that the legislative commitment...
Costa Secures Water, Sewer Grant Funds for Local Communities
HARRISBURG, March 29, 2017 – Four local water and sewer projects will share more than half a billion dollars in state grant funds, state Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) announced today. “Our residents rely on public water and sewer systems to provide for some of the...
Costa Denounces Threats, Acts of Religious Hatred
Harrisburg – March 1, 2017 – State Senator Jay Costa today issued the following statement in reaction to threats directed at Jewish places of worship, schools, community centers and the desecration of cemeteries in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania. “I am...
Costa Introduces Legislation to Support Families Affected by Opioid Epidemic
Harrisburg – February 16, 2017 – Committed to the fight against opioid addiction, State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today introduced legislation that would provide support to families seeking emergency treatment for loved ones. “Families are suffering – it’s as...
Wolf’s 2017-18 Budget Ushers in Reinvention of Government
Harrisburg – February 7, 2017 – Gov. Tom Wolf presented his budget plan for Fiscal Year 2017-18 that calls for an increase in education funding, cuts of $2 billion in government expenses and no broad-based tax increase, state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said today.
Senate Democrats Call for Special Session on Property Tax Relief or Elimination
Harrisburg – February 1, 2017 – State Senate Democrats said that Gov. Tom Wolf should call a special session of the General Assembly to ensure that legislation that results in significant property tax relief or total elimination is passed and signed into law this...
Costa Comments on Acquittal of Sen. Larry Farnese
Harrisburg – February 1, 2017 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement concerning the acquittal of state Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia) of all charges in federal court in Philadelphia today. Costa’s comments...
Costa Reacts to SCI Pittsburgh Closure Decision
Harrisburg – January 26, 2016 – State Senator Jay Costa today issued the following statement in reaction to Governor Wolf’s decision to close SCI Pittsburgh. “Now that the decision has been made and SCI Pittsburgh is scheduled for closure by the end of June, it...
Senate Democrats Announce Committee Assignments for 2017-18 Legislative Session
Harrisburg, January 20, 2017 − Senate Democrats today announced committee memberships for the upcoming 2017-18 legislative session. Members assigned to standing committees are as follows: AGING & YOUTH Chair - Haywood Sabatina Schwank Yudichak AGRICULTURE &...
RACP Grant Applications Period Opens
Harrisburg – January 4, 2017 – Applications for grants available through Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) are now being accepted through Feb. 3, state Senator Jay Costa announced. RACP is a commonwealth grant program...
Senate Democrats Announce Committee Chairmanships for 2017-18 Legislative Session
Harrisburg, December 29, 2016 – Senate Democrats today announced committee chairmanships for the upcoming 2017-18 legislative session, set to begin on Jan. 3, 2017. “Our Senate Democratic committee chairs have the breadth and depth of experience, expertise and...
Costa: Application Process for Medical Marijuana Organizations Set to Open in Early 2017
Harrisburg – December 21, 2016 – New details regarding the availability of medical marijuana in Pennsylvania were released by the Wolf administration today marking the first major step in the legalization process since the landmark legislation (Act 16) was signed...
State Grant Funds Secured to Support Two Local Projects
HARRISBURG, December 6, 2016 – Two local projects will benefit from more than $300,000 in state grant funds State Rep. Paul Costa, D-Allegheny and State Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) announced today. The grants were funded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority...
Costa, Gainey Announce Grant Funds for Wilkinsburg Borough
Harrisburg – December 6, 2016 –Grant funds from the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund will be used for a local community improvement project, Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny) announced. The $350,000 grant awarded to Wilkinsburg...
Grant Funds Secured for Redevelopment Project in Homewood
Harrisburg – November 29, 2016 – Redevelopment of the site at 7800 Susquehanna Street in Homewood will be bolstered by $1 million in state grant funds, state Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Representative Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny) announced today. The $1 million...
Senate Democrats Announce Leadership Team
Harrisburg – November 16, 2016 – Senate Democrats today elected leaders for the 2017-18 legislative session. State Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) was re-elected Democratic Floor Leader. “It is an honor and a privilege to once again be chosen to serve the caucus as...
Costa: Local Share Legislation Approved by Senate, Awaits House Action
Harrisburg – October 26, 2016 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) called on the state House of Representatives to pass – without any changes – legislation to restore the gaming industry’s local share assessment which was invalidated by the state...
State Grants Support Key Projects in Allegheny County
Harrisburg – October 25, 2016 – More than half a million dollars in grant funds have been awarded to support the development of walkways, green space and streambank restorations in Allegheny County, according to state Sen. Jay Costa (D- Forest Hills) and state Rep....