Harrisburg – July 23, 2026 – The Pennsylvania Supreme Court deemed mandatory life sentences for people convicted of second-degree felony murder unconstitutional on March 26, 2026. The landmark Court ruling was then stayed, giving the Pennsylvania General Assembly 120 days to amend the unconstitutional law and provide an alternative remedy for the more than 1,100 incarcerated individuals who have been harshly or unfairly convicted.
The legislature is now out of time, with the Court’s mandated deadline approaching on Friday, July 24.
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-43, Allegheny) and Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti, Democratic Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee (D-17, Delaware/Montgomery), issued the following statement:
“The Court’s ruling in Commonwealth v. Lee gave our state legislature a historic opportunity to redress a longstanding injustice. Pennsylvania is one of only four states that mandate life-without-parole sentences for people who are convicted of second-degree felony murder. Such sentences do not consider whether the actor intended to take a life when they committed the felony. Nor do they consider their degree of involvement in the crime. At its core, the way Pennsylvania was sentencing those convicted of felony murder was often disproportionate with the crimes at hand, and found to be “cruel punishment” under the Pennsylvania Constitution.
“The legislature has known about the July 24 deadline to heed the Court’s ruling. Rather than take action to deliver a just, fair solution to incarcerated Pennsylvanians serving these sentences, Pennsylvania Senate Republicans have spent the past 120 days spewing misinformation about what this ruling means for public safety, while refusing to work collaboratively.
“Though Senate Republicans are content stoking the dishonest lie that the more than 1,100 people serving these sentences will be released from prison come July 24, the truth is that if the legislature fails to act, resentencings are the actual expected outcome. Individual resentencings will take years to process. And it is likely that many incarcerated people impacted by this ruling may still receive a life sentence. Resentencings require the full use of our court system, which will severely strain our public defenders and prosecutors, and produce inconsistent outcomes across the state.
“It is also true that Senate Republicans claimed to take action by passing Senate Bill 1400 back in June. However, not only did Senate Republicans proceed without feedback, they shirked participating in ongoing conversations among stakeholders who were working to craft a comprehensive solution. Instead of working in a bipartisan way, they circulated their proposed legislation less than 24 hours before a Senate Judiciary Committee vote, without any stakeholder or Democratic feedback, to force a perfunctory measure through the chamber. In our divided legislature, when bipartisan consensus is essential, these performative measures are unacceptable.
“A true solution to this matter would provide an adequate sentence for second-degree felony murder that is appropriate under Pennsylvania’s current sentencing guidelines and proportionate to the role the actor played in the crime; parole eligibility for people currently serving a life-without-parole sentence for felony murder after they’ve served a minimum number of years and; a procedure that ensures a judge will issue a culpability determination if they impose a life-without-parole sentence.
“We, along with our Senate Democratic colleagues, look forward to passing collaborative, comprehensive, and meaningful legislation that actually delivers justice.”
Read more from the Abolitionist Law Center about Commonwealth v. Lee.
Read the letter to the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing from Senators Costa and Cappelletti.
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PITTSBURGH, PA – July 17, 2026 − Yesterday, the Office of the Budget met today to award Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funding throughout the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity.
As a result, Senator Costa is proud to announce that six awards were made to projects in the 43rdSenatorial District.
“It’s a joy and an honor to bring dollars back home to Allegheny County to fund projects to improve our community,” said Senator Costa. “I look forward to these investments making a difference for our treasured universities, training centers, and libraries, which serve as critical cornerstones for the 43rd district. As we move forward, I am confident that the projects receiving funding today will bear fruit for years to come.”
The awards announced are as follows:
Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Tech was awarded $1,000,000 to build a two-story open-air training shell and a small garage addition on the existing campus at 652 Ridge Road, Pittsburgh PA 15205. The shell is a steel frame with a mass timber canopy, a metal deck with a concrete second floor, and a roof deck, sited on the current gravel lot. Work includes cutting into the hillside to create training terraces, relocating and doubling the Bridge Project, and adding stair and landing training areas.
Duquesne University was awarded $1,000,000 for the design and construction of a state-of-the-art academic and clinical facility for the School of Health Sciences. The new building will feature cutting-edge simulation centers, advanced research laboratories, flexible classrooms, and purpose-built spaces for interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement.
Point Park University was awarded $2,000,000 to redevelop the vacant building at 305 Wood Street into student housing for Point Park University. The budget includes full renovation of the existing structure. Construction costs cover demolition of outdated interiors, replacement of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and upgrades to meet ADA accessibility and life safety standards. Funds will support structural steel installation, partitioning, and new finishes to create student apartments, study spaces, and community areas.
Penn Hills Library was awarded $1,500,000 to build an extension for larger events that cannot be accommodated within the library. At one end of the new building a welcome foyer, restrooms, and a kitchen will occupy less than a fifth of the overall space. Open space with seating capacity of 250 will front a raised stage suitable for concerts plays and other large events, offering library activities for patrons that require larger spaces not now available. It will be constructed adjacent to the library and oriented to maximize solar access.
Turner Dairy was awarded $1,321,536 to construct a large cold storage warehouse additionand install a semi-automatic palletizing line which will streamline a current manual process. The new steel-frame building will sit on a concrete slab with insulated cooler panels and a tapered rubber membrane roof with three parapet walls. Equipment will include a palletizer, wrapper, drag chain panning, and conveyors. Specialized flooring will be installed, and material handling equipment will be purchased.
Pittsburgh Symphony Inc. was awarded $55,0000 for Pittsburgh Symphony Heinz Hall XI, a project consisting of four components: modernization of the office tower and backstage passenger elevators; replacement of an air handler within the physical plant; replacement of Heinz Hall’s front-of-house carpeting; modernization of Heinz Hall’s Garden Room, Overlook Room, and Grand Tier lounges.
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to thriving communities for every Pennsylvanian here.
HARRISBURG, PA – July 17, 2026 − Yesterday, President Donald Trump took an extraordinary step in his years-long efforts to undermine faith in US elections by delivering a prime-time speech disparaging American elections workers, spewing baseless allegations about Chinese interference, and proposing sweeping voter disenfranchisement policy.
Since 2020, President Trump and Pennsylvania Senate Republicans have issued subpoenas, used multiple committees, and joined countless lawsuits attempting to access confidential, sensitive voter data on Pennsylvania’s voter rolls, manipulate the interpretation of our election laws and block the counting of valid ballots. All this, despite a complete lack of any evidence whatsoever of widespread voter fraud. Trump’s singular focus on disproving the audited, certified results of the 2020 Presidential Election has resulted in a monumental waste of time and resources.
In the face of this full-court press by Republicans at all levels to access protected voter data, Senate Democrats and Governor Shapiro have stood strong with Pennsylvania’s voters, successfully shielding 9 million voters’ personal information from the Trump administration and an unlawful use of legislative power to obtain it. Pennsylvania Senate Democrats have strongly supported additional legislative efforts to make certain all qualified Pennsylvania voters can access the ballot, including same-day voter registration, electronic poll books, pre-canvassing of mail-in ballots, notifications for Pennsylvanians turning 18, and ballot drop-boxes, among other reforms.
Senate Democrats applauded Governor Shapiro and Secretary Al Schmidt’s executive actions to improve ballot access, including redesigning mail-in ballots to reduce confusion and implementing an automatic voter registration program at PennDOT’s driver and motor license centers.
Together, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Senate Democratic State Government Committee Chair Steve Santarsiero offer the following statement in response to President Trump’s speech last night:
“President Trump’s despicable attempts to once again destroy the public’s faith in our elections systems are dangerous, terrifying, disgusting, and shameful. Pennsylvania’s elections undergo rigorous audits to ensure that our systems are fair, free, safe, and secure. Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt and the thousands of incredible elections workers who ensure our voices are heard work hard to execute our laws faithfully so that every eligible Pennsylvanian can cast their ballots without fear, intimidation, or unnecessary barriers, and it is downright unconscionable that President Trump demonizes their labor on national television for his own personal gain.
“As we celebrate 250 years of the American experiment, Senate Democrats are more committed than ever to protecting Pennsylvanians from the unlawful overreach of Trump’s lapdogs and ensuring that all voters are free to exercise their fundamental right to vote in free and equal elections for the leaders of their choosing without this constant interference. We cannot sit idly by and let an aspiring dictator permanently rig our elections and destroy our hard-won freedom to vote.”
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PITTSBURGH, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) held a Board Meeting to award loan and grant funding for the latest round of applicants.
Together, Senators Jay Costa, Lindsey Williams, and Wayne Fontana announce that The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority was awarded a loan of $10,285,765 and a grant of $23,214,235, for a total of $33,500,000. This is anticipated to be Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority’s last residential lead service line replacement project; thus, it will include the remainder of all residential locations in the project water service area. Approximately 828 public and 884 private lead service lines will be replaced in about 3,274 homes.
The work is expected to take place in the neighborhoods of: Garfield, Shadyside, Point Breeze, Squirrel Hill North, Regent Square, Greenfield, Swisshelm Park, Brighton Heights, Manchester, Duquesne Heights, Allentown, South Side Flats, and Mt. Washington.
- FINANCIAL IMPACT: This is an existing system and serves 70,061 residential customers with a population of 303,255. This application evaluated the impact on the 1,712 residential customers affected by the project. The population impacted by this project has a median household income level below the state median household income level. Without the PENNVEST grant of $23,214,235 and extended term on their PENNVEST loan of $10,285,765, user fees would expect to increase by an additional 149 percent. The PENNVEST low-interest loan funding will provide the grant-equivalent of $5,725,494 over the life of the loan.
- PUBLIC HEALTH: Lead service lines will be replaced in a system where the 90th percentile of the sample data from lead-sampled sites is at or below the Lead Action Level.
- INFRASTRUCTURE HEALTH: Lead service lines will be replaced along with the utilization of risk mitigation measures.
- COMMUNITY HEALTH: This project proposes to increase water availability and remove lead from the water system.
- COMPLIANCE: The project will ensure the Authority’s compliance with Lead and Copper Rule regulations.
- SOURCE WATER PROTECTION: This water system has a Source Water Protection Plan approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
“Today’s PENNVEST funding announcement is an important step toward guaranteeing that Allegheny County residents have dependable access to clean, safe water,” Senator Costa said. “Investments like this show how state government can deliver real, practical improvements for working families across Pennsylvania. I’m excited to see these resources translated into on-the-ground progress soon.”
“The Pennsylvania Constitution guarantees us all the right to pure water, and that includes our drinking water at home. Replacing aging and dangerous water infrastructure like lead pipes is critical to ensuring that our water is clean and safe,” said Senator Lindsey Williams. “I applaud Pittsburgh Water for working to replace all of its residential lead lines, and I’ve been happy to provide ongoing support for state investments in these projects. Without these PENNVEST loans and grants, customer fees could go up almost 150%, which is unsustainable, especially as utility bills are at an all time high. This is a win for our health and our wallets.”
“I am gratified to see PWSA approaching the conclusion of its project to replace all residential lead service lines,” said Senator Wayne Fontana. “When my legislation became law in 2017 to allow local municipal authorities to access state funding for water pipe replacement, the goal was to provide communities with financial flexibility to ensure our drinking water is safe without relying on rate increases to achieve that. This impactful state investment will directly improve our communities and I was proud to support it.”
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to thriving communities for every Pennsylvanian here.
The $50.85 billion 2026-27 Pennsylvania Budget Builds on Four Years of Targeted Investments in Affordability, Safety, and Education
HARRISBURG, PA − July 12, 2026 − On Sunday, July 12, Senate Democrats joined House Democrats in the Governor’s Reception Room to participate in the signing of the 2026-27 Pennsylvania Budget, a $50.85 billion spending plan that passed the House and Senate along bipartisan lines. This year’s budget makes critical investments in key areas affecting the lives of Pennsylvanians, including:
- $8.3B for Basic Education, including $565M for adequacy and equity education funding
- $1.5B for Special Education
- $40M for student teacher stipends
- $30M for childcare worker retention bonus
- Over $200M in tax relief for Pennsylvanians under the Working Pennsylvanian Tax Credit
- $23.7M for investment in historically disadvantaged businesses
- $62.15M for Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs
- $24.1M for rape crisis centers
- $7M for chip-enabled EBT cards
- $10M for Pennsylvania fruit growers who were impacted by an April freeze
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa of Allegheny County offers the following statement in celebration:
“I am very pleased with the 2026-27 Pennsylvania Budget, which continues the Senate Democrats’ strong trajectory of supporting spending plans that benefit every Pennsylvanian. Our caucus has successfully championed investments in public education, economic development, community safety, and family affordability.
“This budget builds on the incredible momentum we have built over the past three years by committing dollars to equity and adequacy funding for our schools, recruitment and retention support for childcare workers, relief for farmers, improvements for our roads, and innovation in life sciences research.
“Additionally, Senate Democrats at last secured a long overdue cost of living increase in this budget for our retired teachers, police officers, and firefighters, who served our communities dutifully and deserve a dignified retirement. While there is still more work to be done, I am happy to have supported this commonsense, responsible budget, and I look forward to celebrating these dollars at work in all 67 counties.”
Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes of Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties offers the following statement:
“This is a strong budget that will improve our schools, lift up local economies, and help address Pennsylvania’s affordability crisis. This plan delivers a third year of adequacy funding to our schools, ensuring the General Assembly meets its constitutional responsibility to fix our broken education funding system. This budget provides a much-needed cost of living increase on pensions for retired teachers, police, and firefighters. It includes major investments that will spark job growth. And this budget maintains tax relief programs that will put significant money back in people’s pockets.
Senate Democrats remain acutely aware that every dollar counts, especially as families continue to struggle with the rising costs of housing, utilities, groceries, gas, childcare, and healthcare. As the President turns his back on struggling Pennsylvanians, we are proud to deliver a state budget that puts the people of Pennsylvania first.
We say it every year, but the negotiation process between a divided government requires compromise. There is unfinished business that we are ready to solve. While the work is clearly not done, we can’t ignore the substantial investments we’ve secured in this year’s budget.”
Senator Costa’s floor remarks on this year’s budget are accessible here.
Senator Hughes’ remarks are available here.
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