News Releases
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa’s Statement on State Budget
Harrisburg, PA – July 8, 2022 – Pennsylvania State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa today voted in support of the state budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23. “Given our unprecedented revenue surplus, Senate Democrats fought tirelessly to ensure an agreement that...
Senator Jay Costa Applauds Expansion of Passenger Rail in Western PA
Pittsburgh, PA – June 27, 2022 – Today, State Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) commended the agreement that has been reached between the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) to expand passenger rail access in western...
Women’s Health Caucus Co-Chairs, Democratic Leaders Vow to Protect Abortion Access in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg — June 27, 2022 — Today, the four co-chairs of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus were joined by senate and house Democratic Leaders Sen. Jay Costa and Rep. Joanna McClinton to talk about the reversal of Roe v. Wade and the need to preserve...
Senator Jay Costa Issues Statement on SCOTUS Roe v. Wade Decision
Harrisburg, PA – June 24, 2022 – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Senator Jay Costa issued the following statement in response to the US Supreme Courts’ decision to overturn Roe v. Wade: “I am disheartened by the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Roe v. Wade....
Senate Democrats Support Pres. Biden’s Call for State Gas Tax Holiday
Harrisburg, PA – June 22, 2022 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats held a press conference shortly after President Joe Biden made a call to federal and state law makers to pause gas taxes. “Our stance is simple; we are calling on state Republicans to join us...
Senate Democrats Call for Vote on PA Red Flag Law, GOP Votes No
Harrisburg, PA – June 13, 2022 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats made a motion for the Senate to vote on a Discharge Resolution that would move Senate Bill 134 out of committee and to the floor of the Senate for a full vote during session. State Senate...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Statement on Proposed Federal Gun Reform Deal
HARRISBURG – June 12, 2022 – Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa issued the following statement on today’s announcement on an agreement by the US Senate on a proposed deal to address gun violence: “I am pleased that the United States Senate has...
Senate Democrats Statement on Gun Violence Discharge Resolutions
Harrisburg, PA – June 7, 2022 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats filed six discharge resolutions in an effort to move anti-gun violence and reform legislation to the floor of the State Senate for a vote. While Senate Republicans have moved bills that would make...
Senate Democrats Call on Republicans to Immediately Prioritize Gun Violence Prevention Legislation and Appropriations
HARRISBURG – May 25, 2022 – Today, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats wrote the following letter to Republican leaders in response to rampant gun violence and mass shootings that have become too common in the United States. Just this year, 215 mass shootings have taken...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Statement on Deadly School Shooting at Robb Elementary School
HARRISBURG – May 25, 2022 – Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa issued the following statement on the tragic mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas: “As we find our nation amid another senseless tragedy at the hands of gun violence, our...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Statement on Passing of Former Senator Jim Ferlo
PITTSBURGH – May 15, 2022 – Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa issued the following statement on the passing of former State Senator Jim Ferlo: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our former colleague Senator Jim Ferlo. Jim...
Senator Costa Announces Clean-Energy Job Grant for Allegheny County
May 13, 2022 – Today, Senator Jay Costa announced a $500,000 grant to support clean-energy job training for underserved communities in Allegheny County. The award comes from the Clean Energy Workforce Development Grant Program, which is designed to: Create...
Senators Push Bi-Partisan Juvenile Justice Reforms
HARRISBURG – May 12, 2022 – Legislation to strengthen Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system is set for action according to Senator Lisa Baker (R-20), Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Senator Jay Costa (D-43), who have been working to implement reforms needed to...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Statement on Women’s Health Protection Act Vote
HARRISBURG – May 11, 2022 – Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa issued the following statement on today’s vote by the United States Senate on the Women’s Health Protection Act: “Not only is today’s vote by the US Senate disappointing but it is completely...
Senators Costa and Hughes Issue Statements on Debate Over Whether to Spend or Sit on Billions in Surplus Budget: “We Can Do Both!”
May 5, 2022 – Senator Jay Costa, State Senate Democratic Leader, and Senator Vincent Hughes, Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statements in response to Governor Wolf’s announcement on historic state revenues in April and...
Senator Costa Announces Millions in State Investments in Wilkinsburg
Pittsburgh, Pa. − April 22, 2022 − Senator Jay Costa today announced the award of nearly $5 million in state grants for the Wilkinsburg community, adding to the major investments he has advocated for in the past six months.
Senator Costa Announces $4 Million for Swissvale
Pittsburgh, Pa. − April 22, 2022 − Senator Jay Costa today announced the award of $4 million in state grants for projects in Swissvale. “Public services in Swissvale are going to see major upgrades in the coming months thanks to these grants we secured today,”...
Senator Costa Announces $1.7 Million Grant for Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pa. − April 21, 2022 − Senator Jay Costa today announced the award of more than $1.75 million in state grant funding for the development of multi modal transportation along Sylvan Avenue in the City of Pittsburgh. $1.76 million has been awarded through...
Sen. Costa, Rep Frankel: $500,000-plus awarded to local religious nonprofits for security, safety
PITTSBURGH, April 14, 2022 – State Rep. Dan Frankel and Sen. Jay Costa today announced the awarding of more than $500,000 in state safety and security grants to a dozen local religious nonprofits, even as they continue their fight to strengthen Pennsylvania’s...
Senator Costa Applauds Supreme Court Decision on LRC Maps
Harrisburg, PA - March 16, 2022 - Today, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the bipartisan maps for state legislative districts drawn by the Legislative Redistricting Commission and scheduled the petition period for the May primary; the maps that passed the...
Costa, Frankel Unveil ‘Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act’
PITTSBURGH − March 16, 2022 − In an effort to strengthen health protections for Pennsylvania workers, state Rep. Dan Frankel and state Sen. Jay Costa, both D-Allegheny, have introduced the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act. Currently, the state’s Clean...
Senator Costa Announces $100K in Grants to Prevent Community Violence
Pittsburgh, Pa. − March 9, 2022 − Today, Senator Costa announced the award of nearly $100,000 in state grant money for local organizations to do violence prevention work. “We hear about acts of violence after they’ve occurred, but I want to draw attention to and...
PA Senate Democrats Strongly Support Governor’s Proposed Budget to Invest in Pennsylvanians
HARRISBURG – February 8, 2022 – Governor Tom Wolf gave his final budget address today to a joint Pennsylvania House and Senate Session. The proposed budget invests in Pennsylvanians through education, workforce development, criminal justice reform, public health...
Senator Costa Votes in Support of Final PA House and Senate Maps in LRC Hearing
Harrisburg, Pa. − February 4, 2022 − Senate Democratic Leader and Legislative Reapportionment Commission member Senator Jay Costa today voted in support of final maps for the Pennsylvania House and Senate districts. The final vote of the Commission was 4 to 1 in...
Gov Wolf Announces $1.7 Billion Plan to Secure a Brighter Pennsylvania for Generations
Harrisburg, PA – February 2, 2022 – Governor Tom Wolf announced today his $1.7 billion plan to help Pennsylvania fully recover from the pandemic and pave the way for a successful future with support for families and workers, small businesses, the healthcare system,...
Leaders Announce $4.5 Million in Funding for Nonprofit Security Grant Program
Pittsburgh, Pa. − January 27, 2022 − Community and elected leaders today joined together at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh to announce $4.5 million in funding for Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program. The program is funded by Act 83 of 2019 and...
Senator Costa Announces $650K in Economic Development Grants
Allegheny County, Pa. – January 26, 2022 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced the award of $650,000 in grants for economic development projects in the 43rd senatorial district. “Our district boasts incomparable resources,...
Pa Senate Dems Announce $225 Million in Funding for Hospitals & Health Care Providers
HARRISBURG – January 26, 2022 – The PA Senate Democrats were proud to pass legislation yesterday that will provide $225 million in funding to Pennsylvania hospitals and health care providers. This funding comes through the federal American Rescue Plan and final...
Senator Costa Appoints Senator Kearney to PA Senate Democrats’ Leadership Team
Senator Kearney has been named Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee
Harrisburg, Pa. – January 19, 2022 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa today announced the appointment of Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware) to Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee.
Senator Costa Announces More Than $800K in Community Grants
Pittsburgh, Pa. − December 20, 2021 − Today Senator Jay Costa announced the award of more than $800,000 in state grants from the Keystone Communities Program (KCP) for community organizations in the 43rd senatorial district. “These grants are going to worthy...