News Releases
Rise in hate crimes leads to warning from state police, lawmakers
Lawmakers, PSP discuss increase in incidents and urge public action PITTSBURGH, April 2, 2020 – Alarmed by disturbing warnings that racist attacks on Asian Americans are increasing in Pennsylvania and across America during the coronavirus crisis, a group of...
General Assembly Agrees to Transfer $61 Million From CFA To Small Business Loan Program
Harrisburg, PA − March 18, 2020 − Leaders from each of the four caucuses of the General Assembly and the Governor agreed to move $40 million under the Commonwealth Financing Authority to a small business loan program to aid businesses impacted by the COVID...
Pa Senate Democratic Caucus Endorses American Working Family Relief Action Plan
Harrisburg, Pa. − March 17, 2020 − The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today endorsed a package of policies and legislation intended to protect workers during and after the COVID-19 outbreak. The platform, called American Working Family Relief Action Plan,...
Senate Leaders Issue Statement on COVID-19
HARRISBURG – March 12, 2020 − Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25), Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-34) and Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-43) have issued the following statement regarding COVID-19: “COVID-19 discussions are ongoing...
Costa-Frankel Nonprofit Security Grant Program Announces more than $500K for Local Organizations
Pittsburgh, Pa. − March 11, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. (D-Allegheny) and Representative Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) today announced the award of more than $500,000 for local organizations to improve safety and security measures to prevent hate...
Senator Costa and Rep. Gainey Announce Nearly $1.5 Million in Local School and Community Safety Grants
Pittsburgh, Pa. − February 26, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced state funding for school and community safety programs in districts throughout the 43rd senatorial district. “Students cannot focus on learning if they’re worried...
Senator Costa Announces Nearly $2 Million in Local School and Community Safety Grants
Pittsburgh, Pa. − February 26, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced major state funding for school and community safety programs in districts throughout the 43rd senatorial district. “Students cannot focus on learning if they’re worried...
Senator Costa Wishes Senator Dinniman Best in Retirement, Thanks Him for Years of Dedicated Service
Pittsburgh, Pa. − February 7, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. wishes Senator Andy Dinniman the best in his retirement and thanks him for years of dedicated service to his constituents. “It has been an honor to serve with Senator Dinniman since he was...
New Study: Pennsylvanians breathed months of dirty air in 2018
For many PA cities, air quality was unhealthy around 1 out of every 4 days
PITTSBURGH, PA – January 28, 2020 – Millions of Pennsylvanians across the state are breathing months’ worth of poor air quality due to pollution in 2018, according to a new report released today by the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group. The groups’ report was released as Pittsburgh and other metropolitan areas experienced unhealthy air days this month, an uncommon experience in wintertime for the Commonwealth’s cities.
Senator Costa Announces Nearly $400,000 in State Dairy Grants
Harrisburg, Pa. − January 22, 2020 − State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced two awards to local dairy programs, totaling nearly $400,000. “Dairy is one of Pennsylvania’s largest industries, with unique and difficult challenges. If we want...
Senator Costa Announces PA Smart Grants for Five Local School Districts
Pittsburgh, Pa. − January 17, 2020 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced the award of $35,000 in state grants for computer science classes and teacher trainings to each of five local school districts. “I was honored to stand with Secretary of...
Senators Stefano and Costa to Jointly Introduce Legislation Reforming Driver’s License Suspensions
Harrisburg, Pa − December 6, 2019 −Senator Pat Stefano (R-Fayette) and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. (D-Allegheny) announced plans to introduce legislation that would reform the process of license suspension for driving violations. The legislation would...
Senator Costa Announces More than $2 Million in Transportation Grants
Harrisburg, PA − November 12, 2019 − Today, Senator Jay Costa, Jr. announced that $2 million in grants for transportation projects will be awarded to the 43rd senatorial district. “We have aging infrastructure in our region and across the Commonwealth; it’s important...
Hate Crime Legislation Introduced in Pa. House, Senate
Legislation will give state the tools to prevent and address hate crimes across commonwealth
HARRISBURG, October 30, 2019 – As Pennsylvanians paused to mark one year since the terror attack in Squirrel Hill, legislators in the Pennsylvania House and Senate have moved to introduce a comprehensive legislative package to address hate crimes.
Senator Costa to Introduce Legislation Reforming Campaign Finance, Improving Transparency
Harrisburg, Pa. − October 25, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today circulated a memo to his colleagues in the Senate seeking cosponsors on legislation that would reform Pennsylvania’s campaign finance laws and ensure better transparency and...
Senator Costa and Representative Frankel Applaud $5M in Safety Grants for Religious Entities
Harrisburg, PA − October 23, 2019 − On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Senate added an amendment to House Bill 859 that would provide $5 million in grants for community and religious spaces to improve their security. “This is about taking the next step to do what needs...
Legislators Introduce Local Solar Program in House and Senate
Harrisburg, Pa − October 22, 2019 − A bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators along with advocates and utility providers came together in Harrisburg today to announce plans for a local solar program. “In my district, I have seen a huge spike in folks interested in...
Senator Costa Announces $750,000 Grant for Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Blind & Physically Handicapped Center
Pittsburgh, Pa. − October 18, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced the award of a $750,000 state grant to go to the Library for the Blind & Physically Impaired in the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh system. “Libraries are critical...
Senator Costa Applauds Governor’s Move on Environmental Protection
Pledges to Continue the Fight in the Legislature
Harrisburg, Pa. − October 3, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. applauded Governor Tom Wolf’s move today to instruct the PA Department of Environmental Protection to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
Senator Costa Announces More than $1M in Grants for District Projects
Pittsburgh, PA− September 17, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced more than $1 million in state grants that will come to the 43rd senatorial district for greenway and recreational projects, including ones in Swissvale, West Homestead and the...
Broccoli, Beets and Better Living for Local Communities
Pittsburgh, Pa − August 8, 2019 − Introducing farm fresh produce to more local communities is the driving force behind a recent partnership between Adagio Health and Senator Jay Costa of Pennsylvania’s 43rd District. The Pennsylvania Senator and the healthcare organization teamed up as part of a community-wide education and nutrition effort meant to engage and inform local consumers.
Members of the General Assembly Ask Governor Wolf for a State Of Emergency To Address Pennsylvanians Living in Poverty
Harrisburg, Pa. − August 1, 2019 − Today, Democratic members from the Pennsylvania House and Senate are asking Governor Tom Wolf to declare a state of emergency to address the needs created by the elimination of the state’s General Assistance program. General...
Senator Costa Announces $8 Million in State Grants for his District
Pittsburgh, Pa. – August 1, 2019 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. today announced more than $8 million in state grants that will go to projects in the 43rd senatorial district. “I’m proud to have advocated for these projects in our area, and excited to see...
PA Senate Democratic Caucus Decries Changes to SNAP Program, Urges PA Congressional Delegation to Oppose
Harrisburg, Pa. – July 29, 2019 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus sent a letter to the state’s congressional delegation, urging that the federal Department of Agriculture does not end automatic eligibility for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance...
Senator Costa Celebrates Fresh Food Grants to Local Schools
PITTSBURGH, PA – July 15, 2019 – Today, Senator Jay Costa announced the award of federal grants to local elementary schools to fund healthy, fresh food programs for students. “Our young students can’t learn properly if they aren’t properly fed,” said Senator Costa. “A...
Housing Funds Approved for Key Projects in Region, Costa says
Harrisburg – July 11, 2019 – More than $1.2 million in funding for a wide range of critical housing projects in Allegheny County was approved by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said today. “The dollars approved for these...
Senate Democrats Applaud Wolf’s Swift Action to Fund Voting Security Upgrades
Harrisburg – July 9, 2019 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today applauded the swift action by Gov. Tom Wolf and his administration to fund essential county voting security upgrades via the issuance of up to $90 million in bonds. The bond...
Senate Democrats Highlight Funding for Affordable Housing in the PA FY2019-20 Budget
Harrisburg – July 1, 2019 – The just-passed state budget for Fiscal Year 2019-20 included a large increase in funding for the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE). Several members of the Senate Democratic Caucus...
Senator Costa Supports State Budget, Looks to Fall Session to Accomplish Policy Goals
Harrisburg – June 27, 2019 – Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. voted in support of the Fiscal Year 2019-20 General Appropriations budget which is now headed to Governor Tom Wolf’s desk; Senator Costa looks forward to returning to session in the fall...
Members of The General Assembly & Statewide Advocates Hosted News Conference Defending General Assistance
Harrisburg – June 24, 2019 – Health and Human Services Committee Democratic Chairman State Senator Art Haywood (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) joined members of the PA General Assembly and statewide advocates to fight to protect the General Assistance program. House Bill...