News Releases
Senator Costa Announces $475,000 In Economic Development Grants
Allegheny County, Pa. − September 15, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced the award of $475,000 in grants for economic development projects in the 43rd senatorial district. The grants are part of the Gaming Economic Development Tourism...
Senator Costa Announces $1.6 Million In Cultural Grants For The Region
Pittsburgh, PA − September 15, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced the award of $1,654,233 in cultural grants for the 43rd senatorial district. Today’s grants are funded by money allocated to the state in the CARES Act, a federal recovery...
Democratic Lawmakers Host Hearing on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Arts, Cultural, and Historical Institutions of PA
Harrisburg – September 14, 2020 – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a virtual public hearing to focus on issues impacting the arts, cultural and historical institutions across Pennsylvania. “COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives, and that...
Senate Committee Unanimously Advances Tartaglione-Costa Legislation to Fund PA Higher Education Institutions
Philadelphia, PA – September 9, 2020 − The Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Committee today advanced legislation sponsored by State Senator Christine Tartaglione and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa that would allocate $130 million in federal CARES Act funding to help higher education institutions in the Commonwealth manage financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sen Costa & Rep Deluca Announce $225,000 in State Grants for Local Projects
Munhall, Pa. − August 17, 2020 − Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr and Representative Tony Deluca announced the award of $225,000 in state grants for local water and sewer projects. Verona Borough will receive $125,638 for storm sewer condition ratings and...
Sen Costa & Rep Davis Announce $200,000 in State Grants for Munhall Borough
Munhall, Pa. − August 17, 2020 − Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr and Representative Austin Davis announced the award of $200,000 in state grants for Munhall Borough’s sewer projects. The funds come from the PA Small Water and Sewer Program. The...
PA Senate Democrats & CDFI Network Announce $96 Million in Small Business Grants
Statewide, Pa. – August 10, 2020 – The Pennsylvania CDFI Network and the PA State Senator Democrats today announced $96 million in grant awards under the COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance program. The small businesses that have been...
Senator Costa Announces $750,000 in Education Equity Grants
Pittsburgh, Pa. – August 6, 2020 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced the award of $250,000 for local school districts in two different grant programs promoting educational equity and access for the 2020-21 academic year. “The academic year...
Senator Costa to Pilot Civic Engagement App, “Be the Change”
Pittsburgh, Pa. − August 4, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr will be the first elected official to participate in the civic engagement mobile application “Be The Change.” Senator Costa will be part of a several month pilot period on the new app. “Even...
Senator Costa to Introduce Cap and Invest Bill For Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pa. − July 30, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today introduced Senate Bill 15, creating a “Cap and Invest” program for the state’s electric power sector, along with the support of 17 cosponsors. “The federal government has...
Senator Costa & Representative Deluca Announce $2.5 Million Grant for Penn Hills
Penn Hills, Pa. – July 16, 2020 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. and State Representative Anthony DeLuca today announced the award of $2.5 million to the Municipality of Penn Hills for transportation improvement projects. This grant is part of the Multi Modal...
State Legislators Discuss a Just Recovery for Pennsylvania in Telephone Town Hall
Harrisburg – July 1, 2020 – State Senators Jay Costa (D- Allegheny) and Art Haywood (D- Montgomery/Philadelphia) joined Pennsylvania House Representatives Summer Lee (D- Allegheny) and Liz Hanbidge (D- Montgomery) for a telephone town hall hosted by the State...
PA Senate Democrats Discuss Police Reform Legislative Agenda and Statewide Racial Equity Solutions Tour
Harrisburg – June 30, 2020 – Pennsylvania Senate Democrats gathered in the Capitol and through Zoom to discuss the status of their legislative agenda for police reforms, and to announce a statewide Racial Equity Solutions Tour. PA Senate Democrats introduced a...
PA Senate Passes Two Major Law Enforcement Reform Bills
HARRISBURG, PA − June 24, 2020 − The Pennsylvania Senate today unanimously passed two major pieces of police reform legislation, both sponsored by members of the Senate Democratic Caucus: Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. (D-Allegheny) and Senator Sharif Street...
Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus to Close Offices in Recognition of Juneteenth
Harrisburg, PA June 18, 2020 - Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. Announced that the Senate Democratic Caucus offices will be closed on Friday, June 19th to recognize Juneteenth. Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee or Liberation Day, the holiday celebrates the end...
PA Senate and House Democrats to Host “PA Needs A Just Recovery” Statewide Events
HARRISBURG – June 16, 2020 –The Pennsylvania Senate & House Democratic Caucuses will join workers for virtual press events “based” across the state to highlight that Pennsylvania needs a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and justice for black lives....
Sen. Costa Announces $1.7 Million in State Grants for Victim Services, Addiction Treatment & Forensic Science
Pittsburgh, PA − June 10, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced the award of more than $1.7 million in state grants to fund programs in victims services, addiction treatment and local forensic science improvement. The awards were made...
PA Senate Democrats Announce Comprehensive Police Reform Legislation
HARRISBURG – June 10, 2020 – Today, members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced plans for a comprehensive package of legislation to reform policing in Pennsylvania. Two years ago, members of the caucus introduced police and community relations...
PA Senate Democrats Announce $225 Million for Small Business Assistance Grants Statewide
HARRISBURG – June 8, 2020 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced the direction of $225 million in federal CARES Act funding to aid small businesses across the commonwealth. This funding was authorized by the recently enacted COVID-19...
Senator Costa Supports 5-Month State Budget, Fully Funding Education and Spending State’s Federal Cares Money
Harrisburg, Pa. − May 28, 2020 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today voted in support of House Bill 2387, a General Appropriations bill that funds state operations through November, and fully funding education through the entire fiscal year. The bill passed...
PA Senate Democrats Announce $550 Million Main Street Business Revitalization Grant Program
Harrisburg, PA − May 22, 2020 − Senators Jay Costa, Vince Hughes, John Blake, Jim Brewster and Pam Iovino today called for $550 million of funds allocated to Pennsylvania through the federal CARES act to be used for a program they are calling the Main Street Business...
Costa, Wheatley Applauds Confirmation of Khadija Diggs to Pa. Parole Board
PITTSBURGH, May 14, 2020 – Today state Senator Jay Costa, D-Allegheny and state Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny, announced the unanimous confirmation vote of Khadija Diggs, Esq., to the Pennsylvania Parole Board from the state Senate. Diggs, from Verona, Allegheny...
Senate Democrats Condemn Wasteful, Political Hearing of Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee
Harrisburg, Pa. − April 30, 2020 − The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness (VAEP) Committee led by Chairman Mike Regan (R-Cumberland) today held a hearing, not to address veterans’ affairs nor emergency preparedness, but rather to issue subpoenas to...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. Issues Statement Supporting PA Auditor General’s Review of DCED Waiver Program
Harrisburg, Pa. − April 30, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. issued the following statement regarding the Senate Republican efforts to subpoena Governor Tom Wolf’s cabinet officials in the middle of a public health crisis.
PA Senate Democrats Unveil PA CARES
Sens. Costa, Hughes unveil PA CARES, a plan to allocate federal CARES Act funds
HARRISBURG – APRIL 29, 2020 – State Senators Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) unveiled the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus’ plan to allocate federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds Wednesday...
Costa Authors Legislation to Protect Cares Act Payments from Garnishment
Harrisburg – April 23, 2020 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. (D-Allegheny) unveiled legislation today that would protect federal stimulus payments to people from being preyed upon by creditors and debt collectors. Costa’s bill would prohibit the garnishment...
Senator Costa, Reps Gainey and Davis Announce $140,000 in Education Equity Grants
Pittsburgh, PA − April 22, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr., Representative Ed Gainey and Representative Austin Davis today announced the award of more than $140,000 in state grants for school districts in the 43rd senatorial district to bridge...
PA Senate Democrats Urge Action on Legislation for Working Families, Pledge to Oppose Partisan COVID Task Force
Harrisburg, PA − April 8, 2020 − The Senate adjourned Tuesday afternoon after the House Republicans indicated they would not be taking up Senate Bill 841, legislation that would have enabled local municipalities to hold their meetings remotely, permitted e-notary use;...
House and Senate Democratic Caucuses Seek Immediate Legislative Action on Needs of Workers and Middle Class Families
Harrisburg, PA − April 6, 2020 − Leaders from the Democratic caucuses of the Pennsylvania House and Senate today presented legislative solutions for working families during the COVID outbreak and business closures. They addressed issues, including: Retaliation against...