News Releases
Forest Hills Town Hall Meeting Well Attended
It was a lively discussion on the state issues during Sen. Costa’s town meeting in Forest Hills.
Corbett Shale Policy Fails to Adequately Address Needs of Citizens, Communities, & Environment
State Senate Democrats today responded to Governor Tom Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Impact Fee proposal.
Senate Democrats Roll Out Jobs Plan
HARRSIBURG – State Senate Democrats today unveiled their revised job creation plan, called “PA Works Now,” which they claim would create 80,000 new jobs and leverage billions in private investment to generate jobs and economic activity.
Legislative Reapportionment Commission Hears Testimony
The commission heard public testimony regarding the upcoming redrawing of Pennsylvania’s legislative district lines.
Hearing Held on Highmark/UPMC Dispute
PITTSBURGH - September 13, 2011 -Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) joined members of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee for a public hearing in Pittsburgh regarding the ongoing contract dispute between the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center...
Sens. Blake, Costa Host Roundtable Discussion on Senior Care and Services
SCRANTON — With the aging populations expected to continually increase in the coming years, state Sen. John Blake and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa today hosted a local roundtable discussion focusing on senior care and services. Nearly two dozen public officials...
Costa Appoints Gregory Fajt to PA Gaming Control Board
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today announced the appointment of Gregory Fajt to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Fajt most recently served as the board’s chairman, appointed by Governor Ed Rendell in 2009.
Costa Receives Bob O’Connor Leadership Award
PITTSBURGH – Sen. Costa recently received the Bob O'Connor JA Leadership Award for 2011 for his "exemplary leadership and profound impact" on Western Pennsylvania. LEARN MORE Junior Achievement of Western PA Costa received the award earlier this summer at Junior...
Back to the Negotiating Table, Lawmakers Urge
Protecting access to good health care for residents is a top concern for regional lawmakers as the leaders and members of the General Assembly today urged Highmark and UPMC to get back to the bargaining table.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors Made Available
Homestead Mayor Betty Esper was lucky to escape with her life in November 2010 when a blocked vent pipe in her home caused a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide that sent both her and a tenant who lived in the home to the hospital for treatment.
Costa Honored by Neighborhood Legal Services
Sen. Costa was recently honored by the Neighborhood Legal Services Association for his work to promote the mission of the NLSA in providing legal services to individuals and families in Western Pennsylvania.
Republican Budget Hurts Students, Cuts Teachers, and Slows Job Creation
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement after passage of the $27.15 billion state budget which all Democrats voted against:
Costa fights to restore cuts made to University of Pittsburgh
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa continued to push Republican leadership to restore unreasonably deep budget cuts on Sunday night by introducing an amendment to restore state funding to the University of Pittsburgh to last year’s level without raising any taxes or fees.
Costa, Ferlo and Fontana announce grant for natural gas-powered refuse trucks
The City of Pittsburgh will be awarded a $500,000 grant to purchase four new refuse trucks powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), state Sens. Jay Costa, Jim Ferlo and Wayne Fontana announced today.
Health care the focus of capitol news conference
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa joined Senate Democrats and medical professionals in a call to restore the potentially disastrous cuts proposed to Pennsylvania’s medical schools, bioscience investments and regional cancer centers.
Penn Hills student receives scholarship from Sen. Costa
Costa Joins Local Officals to Honor the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords
Sen. Costa joined local mayors, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Josh Gibson Foundation to unveil 18 new bridge signs honoring the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawford Negro League baseball teams.
Mt. Oliver Borough to use loan for energy savings
Mt. Oliver Borough will use a $27,159 state loan to upgrade its street lighting with high-efficiency fixtures and bulbs, state Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) announced today.
Officials Discuss Need to Reduce Pennsylvania Prison Costs
Reforming the corrections system and finding cost savings were the topics as Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa joined Auditor General Jack Wagner and Senate Judiciary Chairman Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery) at a news conference at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).
UCP/CLASS marks a milestone, breaks ground
PITTSBURGH - Sen. Costa was honored to attend the groundbreaking ceremony as United Cerebral Palsy Community Living and Support Services (UCP/CLASS) officially kicked off the renovation of the former Center for Creative Play building on South Braddock Avenue....
Sen. Costa addresses groups concerned about how policies affect children
The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland – Pittsburgh Branch and Govern for Kids hosted Sen. Costa for a breakfast forum focused on policy affecting children.
Funding secured for Great Allegheny Trail
December 30, 2010 -- Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa is pleased to announce $750,000 in state redevelopment assistance grant money has been awarded to complete the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) project. Until now, a one-mile long gap in the trail in West Homestead...
Costa elected Democratic Leader
State Senate Democrats today elected Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) as their new Democratic floor leader.
Sen. Costa has received the Regional Partnership Award from Mon Valley Initiative
Sen. Costa was among this year’s co-recipients of the Regional Partnership Award, which was presented to members of the Mon Valley Initiative’s Community Investment Fund Committee. The committee works diligently to ensure the continued growth and stability of MVI’s...
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council’s Legislative Meet & Greet Breakfast
Sen. Costa addresses the audience gathered for the “Legislative Meet & Greet Breakfast” held by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council