“It is unfortunate that we were not able to reach a general agreement on all aspects of this measure and we cannot support it on final passage. There is too much at stake. We can’t allow Pennsylvanians to ultimately wind up on the losing end of the battle to make sure our resources and drinking water are protected. We also need to make sure that Pennsylvanians get their fair share. Their state’s resources must be given away for a fair price. Alaska, Texas, Montana, and a slew of other states gain more from their severance fees than Pennsylvania will under this proposal. We can’t allow multi-billion dollar international corporations a free pass to the vast and valuable resources that lie beneath our commonwealth. We can’t stand for the state taking away the rights of townships and municipalities to control their own destiny when it comes to Marcellus Shale development. The Republicans have made it clear tonight that they are willing to hand over the keys to the castle.
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“Short-term benefits cannot take priority over what the majority of Pennsylvania’s men and women want and deserve – environmental protection and a fair fee from the companies poised to make billions more than they have already pocketed from the resources Pennsylvania provides. We can’t be left holding the bag and paying for the clean-up many years from now when the natural gas rigs have been taken away and the natural gas is gone.
“I am saddened by the fact that one of the most important issues we have been negotiating for more than two years could not result in an acceptable compromise.
I want to assure all, it wasn’t for lack of effort. My Democratic colleagues and I were provided the opportunity to have meaningful input and provide ideas to improve this bill. For that, we are grateful. Sen. Scarnati, his staff and our members and staff negotiated at length through many issues and provided perspectives for the other to consider. But at the end of the day, we need to make sure that this bill is correct and something that Pennsylvanians can live with now and for years to come.”
HARRISBURG, November 1, 2011 – Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) hailed Senate passage of legislation which will establish guidelines regarding management of concussions and head injuries to student athletes. The unanimous vote in favor of Senate Bill 200 sends it to the governor’s desk for his approval.
“These are serious life-threatening injuries which kids are shrugging off in order to get back on the field, and they can have long-term, life-altering effects,” said Costa. “Competitive spirit is something we can all appreciate, but not when it poses a serious threat to some of our youngest and most promising athletes.”
According to the American Academy of Neurology, 40 percent of high school athletes that suffer concussions return to play too soon, and during the 2007-08 season 1 in 6 football players who suffered a concussion and lost consciousness returned in the same game.
If the bill is signed into law, a coach will be required to remove a student with symptoms of a concussion or traumatic brain injury from play. The athlete will have to be evaluated and cleared for return in writing by an appropriate medical professional. Coaches who do not comply will be penalized.
“I stood with NFL representatives and former NFL players earlier this year to speak in support of this bill. They know firsthand how those hard hits can have a serious long-term impact,” said Costa. “There is no reason for any young athlete to stay in the game if they’re experiencing signs of serious injury. Now coaches, parents, and students will be accountable and involved in making sure our children are protected.”
Additional components of Senate Bill 200:
- Requires coaches to annually complete a concussion management certification training course offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Federation of State High School Associations or another provider approved by the Dept. of Health.
- Penalties for coaches who fail to comply with the provisions of the act – 1st offense: suspension from coaching any athletic activity for the remainder of the season; 2nd offense: suspension from coaching any athletic activity for the remainder of the season and for the next season; 3rd offense: permanent suspension from coaching any athletic activity. These are the minimum penalties to be established by a school board under the legislation.
- Requires involved students and their parents/guardians to annually sign and return to the school an acknowledgement of receipt of the concussion and brain injury information prior to the student’s participation in practice or competition.
- School entities may also hold an informational meeting prior to the start of each athletic season for all ages of competitors regarding concussions and other head injuries and the importance of proper concussion management.
An estimated 3.8 million sports-related concussions occur in the United States each year. In Pennsylvania, the figure could be as high as 156,000 concussions per year.
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HARRISBURG, October 19, 2011 – – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Democratic Transportation Chairman John Wozniak today released the following statements regarding Pennsylvania’s transportation crisis:
Senator Jay Costa, (D-Allegheny):
“It is extremely important that we address our transportation crisis. In addition to making sure our bridges and roads are safe, we want to do everything possible to put Pennsylvanians back to work. Our unemployment numbers are moving in the wrong direction, and getting these road projects going will no doubt provide Pennsylvania with a much-need economic shot in the arm. Much of what is contained in the TFAC report will get people back to work. That is the bottom line and something Senate Democrats have been trying to facilitate for several months.
“With word now of research released today that Pittsburgh has the highest percentage of structurally deficient bridges in the nation, we should need no further evidence. We must move on this immediately. Senate Democrats have been urging the governor to act on the commission’s report since it was released. Months later — with limited time left in the fall session — I am pleased to see some measure of movement on the issue. Senate Democrats are ready to be a part of a meaningful conversation, and I am eager to hear specifics on the governor’s intentions. His guidance is essential.”
Senator John Wozniak (D-Johnstown):
“We have been saying for months that we must address Pennsylvania’s crumbling roads and bridges — not just to protect the safety of motorists, but transportation projects and infrastructure improvements are a powerful tool to get people back to work. Pennsylvania’s unemployment numbers have risen since the beginning of the year. Infrastructure improvement projects need to be a priority from an economic standpoint. We can’t be competitive when our roads are not up to par.
We look forward to hearing from the governor and learning which components of his Transportation Funding Advisory Commission have the possibility of being implemented and signed into law. The clock is ticking, but I am hopeful — with effective leadership – that something can get done this fall. From both a safety and economic standpoint, it must.
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HARRISBURG, October 18, 2011 – – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today applauded Senate passage of legislation that would reduce Pennsylvania’s over-crowded prison population and expand eligibility for essential reentry programs.
Democratic amendments to Senate Bill 100 implemented provisions that would distinguish between the correctional needs of violent and non-violent offenders through a risk assessment instrument and expand the eligibility for County and State Intermediate Punishment programs, State Motivational Boot Camp and the Risk Reduction Incentive program.
“While we continue to push forth on our jobs first agenda, this legislation will capitalize on the positive connections between reductions in recidivism and employment,” Costa said. “This legislation was one facet of our PA Works Now job creation initiative and Senate Democrats hope that our Republican colleagues will see the benefits in the other facets of PA Works Now that will put Pennsylvanians back to work.”
Costa said that Senate Bill 100 also includes provisions for pre-release from a state prison if a qualifying non-violent inmate has already served at least 9 months of their sentence at either a state or county prison.
Senate Bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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October 18, 2011 – Sen. Costa joined a bipartisan group of House and Senate members from Western Pennsylvania to update the public on the ongoing efforts to bring an end to the UPMC/Highmark impasse.
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“We have strongly urged both of these entities to do the right thing. They need to get back to the table and start showing everyone that the people of Western Pennsylvania whom they serve are a priority for them. We intend to pursue every option available to us as elected officials to make sure that happens. While stepping into the affairs of private enterprise is usually frowned upon, we are very concerned when it potentially affects the health and well-being of our constituents,” said Costa.
