HARRISBURG – October 16, 2012 – Calling the arts “an essential part of the fabric of Pennsylvania,” state Sen. Jay Costa said today that investing in arts is prudent because there is a discernible job creation and economic return.
“The arts represent a significant economic boost and a job creation tool,” Costa said at a news conference held in the state Capitol by Citizens for the Arts. “I have supported the arts for many years as a member of the Council on the Arts and on the boards of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Civic Light Orchestra so I know how important the arts are to the quality of life and marketability of a region.”
The media event was called to detail the economic impact of the arts. The Arts and Economic Prosperity study by the Americans for the Arts drew a direct correlation between investment in the arts and job creation and economic growth.
According to the study, the arts generate $2.55 billion in total economic activity and $1.8 billion in household income to local residents and support more than 81,000 full-time equivalent jobs. The arts deliver $360 million in local and state government revenue.
The Democratic leader also announced that he is going to form a bipartisan, bicameral arts and culture caucus in the General Assembly that will support the arts through the budget process among other things.
“The arts community is an essential part of the fabric of Pennsylvania – both economically and culturally – and we will continue to find ways to support it in the General Assembly,” Costa said.
The Forest Hills lawmaker also said that involvement in the arts also has a measurable education component.
Costa cited statistics indicating that students who take four years of music and art score 102 points better on their college entrance exams. Students with four years of art and music averaged 40 points higher on the written portion of their SATs than students with half a year or less.
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Harrisburg – October 14, 2012 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) the state Senate’s Democratic Leader, issued the following statement on the death of Sen. Arlen Specter:
“Whether it was on the local, state or national political scene, Senator Specter helped shape history. His work and his accomplishments throughout his many years in public life have left a lasting footprint. He led a purposeful and meaningful life and contributed so much to making the lives of the citizens of Pennsylvania better.
“Senator Specter was involved in many significant moments in our history and his reassuring voice was often heard during our most difficult times. Senator Specter led a full life of good works, including his efforts as a part of the commission that investigated the assassination of President Kennedy through many legislative battles while a member of the Senate.
“From his early years as district attorney in Philadelphia through five terms in the United States Senate, Senator Specter was a problem solver who used his years of service to generate benefits for the state. With Senator Specter’s death, Pennsylvania lost a political giant and a friend.
“On behalf of the state Senate Democratic caucus, I want to express our condolences to Senator Specter’s wife, Joan, his sons and all his family and loved ones. He was a friend who stood tall and he will be fondly remembered for his work.”
Contact:
Hugh Baird
717-787-5166
HARRISBURG, October 2, 2012 – – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement in reaction to today’s decision by Commonwealth Court on the controversial voter ID law:
“In my view, the court’s decision is the correct one in blocking the voter ID law from taking effect this November. The court is trying to deal with an ill-conceived and short-sighted law.
“There has been so much controversy about this law, I still believe that some voters will not come out to vote fearing that they do not have the proper ID and therefore be disenfranchised.
“At the very least, the ruling means that voters will not be prevented from casting their votes and having them counted.
“Eligible voters should go and exercise their right to vote on Election Day and not worry about whether they have a photo ID. The whole controversy is a product of a short-sighted partisan political calculation. By not voting, partisanship wins so voters should not let that happen.”
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Harrisburg – September 18, 2012 — Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today issued the following statement on the decision of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to vacate the Commonwealth Court’s ruling on the state’s controversial voter ID law.
The court sent the case back to the Commonwealth Court to ascertain if the law is being implemented correctly and whether voters reasonably have access to voter ID cards:
“In vacating the decision, the court left it to the Commonwealth Court to determine if the photo ID law is being implemented properly and whether there is liberal access to voter ID cards in compliance with the legislative intent of the law.
“The facts of the case haven’t changed. There was ample and overwhelming evidence presented during the Commonwealth Court’s hearing of this case to conclude that there are multiple obstacles that voters must navigate in order to gain a valid voter ID that permits them to cast a vote that will be counted on Election Day.
“This case is about voter suppression and the partisan attempt to influence the General Election. The right to vote and a citizen’s access to the ballot box must be guaranteed. Unquestionably, there continues to be problems with the current, expedited implementation of the law.
“Given the short time line for Commonwealth Court to consider the case and determine the status of the law, it appears that the only decision is on issuing the injunction.”
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Harrisburg – September 13, 2012 — State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), the Senate Democratic leader, issued a statement concerning two issues that were before the state Supreme Court today.
The Court heard arguments today on the voter ID law that will require all voters to show a valid photo ID when they cast their vote in the General Election in November, as well as the challenges to the 2012 legislative reapportionment plan.
“Two exceptionally important cases were before the state Supreme Court today. Both cases involve the ability of citizens to cast votes and be guaranteed fair elections so they have a voice in their government.
“The voter ID case involves the ability of all citizens to cast their vote on Election Day. There is no evidence of voter fraud and obstacles to voting should not be permitted. The requirement that voters have photo ID before their vote is counted will cause immediate harm for seniors, the poor, students and others.
“As a plaintiff in the legislative reapportionment case, I asked the court to throw out the partisan political plan that was approved by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission so that a new, fair, and constitutional map can be drafted. This is the second time that a flawed plan has been before the court. The plan has too many county splits and is too skewed politically to pass constitutional muster.
“I am confident that the court will carefully consider each of these cases and make appropriate rulings that protect the ability of citizens to vote and be represented fairly.”
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