News Releases
Senate Democrats Say Budget Should Move PA Forward
Harrisburg – January 25, 2012 – Senate Democrats, led by Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes and others, today called on the governor to make job creation, tax fairness, education funding, shale and the restoration of funds for safety net programs budget priorities.
Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Redistricting
Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Redistricting Maps
Senate Democrats Denounce Plan to Implement Asset Tests for SNAP
HARRISBURG, Jan. 24, 2012 — State Sen. Shirley Kitchen and fellow Senate Democratic Caucus members today strongly denounced the Corbett administration’s plan to establish asset tests to determine eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.
Sen. Costa Enjoys a Day at WPSBC
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 5, 2011 -- Sen. Costa dances with students and staff at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children’s 125th “birthday.” celebration. Learn more at wpsbc.org.
Democrats to Governor Corbett, GOP legislature: Where’s the leadership?
HARRISBURG, Dec. 20 – Democratic leaders from the state House and Senate joined together today to urge Governor Tom Corbett and leaders of the Republican-controlled legislature to end their extreme ideological crusade and to begin leading on the issues that matter to working, middle-class families.
Costa Votes Against LRC Final Plan
HARRISBURG, December 12, 2011 – – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) expressed disappointment with the final legislative redistricting plan which was passed by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission today by a 4-1 vote. An amendment introduced by Costa which proposed a more balanced plan was voted down 3-2 along party lines.
DEP Awards Grant for Work in Wilkins Township
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has awarded a $350,000 state grant to Wilkins Township
Legislative Reapportionment Commission Concludes Public Hearings
Wrapping up the last of two public hearings on the Legislative Reapportionment Commission’s preliminary plan, testimony given to the commission today was overwhelmingly critical of the plan approved 3-2 along party lines.
Education Improving but Faces Funding Issues
HARRISBURG, November 15, 2011 - Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa was joined by former Gov. Ed Rendell at a capitol news conference to draw attention to a recent report that shows Pennsylvania is one of just a few states that made significant progress from 2003 to...
Statement from Democratic Leader Jay Costa, (D-Allegheny) on Republican Shale Fee
“It is unfortunate that we were not able to reach a general agreement on all aspects of this measure and we cannot support it on final passage. There is too much at stake. We can’t allow Pennsylvanians to ultimately wind up on the losing end of the battle to make sure...
Costa Applauds Passage of Concussion Management Legislation
HARRISBURG, November 1, 2011 - Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) hailed Senate passage of legislation which will establish guidelines regarding management of concussions and head injuries to student athletes. The unanimous vote in favor of Senate Bill 200 sends it to...
Costa Details his Opposition to School Vouchers
HARRISBURG, October 26, 2011 - - Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa speaks on the floor of the Senate to detail his opposition to the school vouchers legislation (SB 1). [hdvideo id=16 ]
Costa, Wozniak Say Action on Transportation Crisis Will Create Jobs
HARRISBURG, October 19, 2011 - - Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Democratic Transportation Chairman John Wozniak today released the following statements regarding Pennsylvania’s transportation crisis: Senator Jay Costa, (D-Allegheny): “It is extremely important...
Costa Touts Lower Recidivism, Cost-Savings and Economic Benefits of SB 100 Passage
HARRISBURG, October 18, 2011 - - Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today applauded Senate passage of legislation that would reduce Pennsylvania’s over-crowded prison population and expand eligibility for essential reentry programs. Democratic amendments...
UPMC/Highmark Impasse Update
October 18, 2011 - Sen. Costa joined a bipartisan group of House and Senate members from Western Pennsylvania to update the public on the ongoing efforts to bring an end to the UPMC/Highmark impasse. [hdvideo id=14 ] "We have strongly urged both of these entities to...
Costa participates in 24-hour Read-Aloud program
Sen. Costa served as a reader for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s 24-hour Read-Aloud program at the library’s downtown branch
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.