News Releases
Senate Democrats Again Call for Gov. to End Lottery Privatization Plan
Harrisburg – July 19, 2013 – Citing yesterday’s announcement by the Pennsylvania Lottery of record sales and revenues for the 2012-13 Fiscal Year, Senate Democrats released a letter that was sent to Gov. Tom Corbett today asking that he immediately end plans to privatize the Lottery.
Costa: State Funding Aids Homestead Development
Harrisburg – July 15, 2013 – More than $1.1 million in state tax credits that will help finance a multi-phased development in Homestead have been approved by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), state Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said today. “This is...
Costa Applauds Medicaid Expansion Legislation as it Clears Senate
Harrisburg – June 30, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement after the Senate passed Medicaid expansion language as a part of the Welfare Code legislation: “The expansion of Medicaid is a win for Pennsylvania. It...
Costa Votes in Support of Budget Plan
Harrisburg – June 30, 2013 – State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said that while he has reservations about the budget plan that was approved in the Senate today, he was willing to support the $28.375 spending plan because it includes positive...
Costa Hails Medicaid Expansion Legislation as it Clears Key Committee
Harrisburg – June 28, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said that he was ecstatic that Medicaid expansion language was included in legislation that cleared the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee today. The expansion language was...
Senate Democrats Call for Quickening the Pace of Reform at PSU
HARRISBURG – June 26, 2013 – At a Capitol news conference, Sens. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) and Rob Teplitz (D-Dauphin) called for a more rapid pace of reform of the governing structure at Penn State and said the...
Costa Comments on Sen. McIlhinney Liquor Plan
Harrisburg – June 18, 2013 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement on the liquor privatization plan offered by Sen. McIlhinney. “Senate Democrats are unified in support of modernization not privatization. “We believe that the system should...
Senate Democrats Praise Corbett’s Nominees for Supreme Court, Turnpike, LCB, PUC
HARRISBURG, June 13, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said Senate Democrats believe Gov. Tom Corbett has made excellent choices in selecting highly qualified, experienced, skilled and dedicated public servants as nominees to fill vacancies...
Costa Comments on Senate Passage of Transportation Bill
Harrisburg – June 5, 2013 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of a signature transportation funding bill (Senate Bill 1). Once fully implemented, the measure would generate an additional $2.5 billion annually to...
Senate Democrats Budget Properly Funds Education, Job Creation, Social Services
Harrisburg, June 3, 2013– Senate Democrats today presented their version of a 2013-14 state budget which they say is a responsible alternative to the short-sighted and ill-advised spending plans offered by Gov. Tom Corbett and House Republicans. Senate Democratic...
$ 300 Million Education Common Core Mandate Threatens Graduation
Harrisburg, May 13, 2013 – A new unfunded education mandate now being quietly pursued by the Corbett administration will soon saddle school districts with a $ 300 million expense and threaten graduation for thousands of students across Pennsylvania, Senate Democrats said today at a Capitol news conference.
Costa Comments on Former Gov. George Leader’s Death
HARRISBURG, May 9, 2013 -- State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today expressed his thoughts on the death of George M. Leader, who was Pennsylvania’s governor from 1955-59 and was a member of the state Senate from 1951-54: “Gov. Leader was a pioneer as senator, governor...
Sen. Jay Costa Statement on Pennsylvania Supreme Court Redistricting Decision
Harrisburg – May 8, 2013 – State Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement on the decision of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to uphold the legislative redistricting plan: “The approval of the redistricting plan by the state Supreme...
Costa Pleased with Highmark/WPASH Affiliation Approval
Harrisburg, April 29, 2013 – State Sen. Jay Costa released the following statement on the state Insurance Department’s approval of Highmark’s proposed affiliation with the West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS). Costa has been a strong proponent of the affiliation...
Senate Democrats Seek Job Creation, Education, Safety Net Dollars in Budget Discussions
Harrisburg, April 17, 2013 – Senate Democrats’ 2013-14 budget priorities are heavily weighted toward job creation, education investments, strengthening the social-services safety net, modernizing liquor sales and refocusing Pennsylvania’s business tax menu to help...
Rand Study Supports Medicaid Expansion, Senators Say
Harrisburg, March 28, 2013 – Two top Democratic state Senators who have been urging the Corbett administration to expand Medicaid said the governor should pay attention to a new, detailed study commissioned by The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) that shows the advantages of enrolling more Pennsylvanians in Medicaid.
Costa, Ferlo Express Disappointment at Liquor Privatization Plan
Harrisburg, March 21, 2013 — Senate Democratic Law and Justice Chair Jim Ferlo (D-Pittsburgh) and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today released statements expressing their opposition to the passage of the wine and spirits privatization plan in the Pa...
Senate Democrats Announce Medicaid Expansion Legislation
HARRISBURG, March 13, 2013 – Senate Democrats announced sweeping legislation that would compel Pennsylvania to participate in the expansion of Medicaid so that 650,000 more Pennsylvanians would be covered by health insurance.
Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee Holds Hearing on Medicaid Expansion
Pittsburgh, March 8, 2013 – Democratic members of the state Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing in Pittsburgh today to receive testimony from local officials and health-care experts regarding Pennsylvania’s option to expand Medicaid coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act.
Costa Urges Governor to Reinstate adultBasic Coverage
Harrisburg, March 5, 2013 - Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today issued the following statement concerning Commonwealth Court's decision regarding the diversion of tobacco settlement funds from the adultBasic and Medical Assistance for Workers with...
Costa: Allegheny County Airport Receives State Grant
HARRISBURG, March 4, 2013 – The Allegheny County Airport will be receiving a $512,000 state grant for the design and construction of hangars. “The Allegheny County Airport plays an important role in aiding business and commerce in the Pittsburgh area,” said State...
Senator Costa Celebrates Dr. Seuss and ‘Read Across America’ Day with Area Students
March 1, 2013 — State Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today joined with educators and school children and celebrated the importance of reading with children.
Sen. Costa Hosts Town Hall Meeting
February 25, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) held a town hall meeting at Chatham University in the Laughlin Music Hall, Welker Room on Saturday, February 23rd from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. [divider top="0"] ###
Sen. Costa to Host Town Hall Meeting
FOREST HILLS – February 22, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said that public input is critical to having a fair and informed budget process in Harrisburg and that Town Hall Meetings are invaluable in gaining insight from citizens of the...
Senate Democrats Applaud Attorney General Kane’s Decision on Lottery
Harrisburg, February 14, 2013 – State Senate Democrats applauded Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s decision to reject the Corbett Administration’s plan to privatize the management of the Pennsylvania Lottery to a U.K.-based company Camelot Global...
Costa, Blake to Gov: Let Lottery Implement AFSCME Approach to Raise Profit
Harrisburg, February 11, 2013 – State Sens. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and John Blake (D- Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) said that instead of outsourcing the Pennsylvania Lottery’s operations to a U.K. company, Camelot Global Services, the governor should allow the Lottery...
Democratic Legislative Leaders Reject Proposed Electoral College Change
Harrisburg – February 7, 2013 – Pennsylvania’s Democratic Senate and House legislative leaders said today that they strongly oppose a Republican plan to make changes in the current Electoral College winner-take-all system that could reduce the state’s national...
Senate Democrats React to Governor’s 2013-14 Budget Proposal
HARRISBURG, February 5, 2013 — Governor Corbett outlined his 2013-14 budget proposal today, which my colleagues and I view as a false choice plan for Pennsylvania. It does little to address the problems the commonwealth is facing and relies on shaky and faulty...
Senator Costa to Hold Town Hall Meeting
Mark your calendars and join me for the first of many town hall meetings. We'll be getting together to discuss your thoughts and concerns on issues affecting you and all of Pennsylvania. Numerous community organizations will also be in attendance to answer your...
Costa, Dinniman Express Dismay at Liquor Privatization Plan
Harrisburg, January 30, 2013 — Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Senate Democratic Education Chair Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) today released statements expressing their opposition to Governor Tom Corbett’s plan to privatize and expand the sale of...