Senator Costa reads at the Carnegie Library's 24-hour reading event downtown.
Sen. Costa served as a reader for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s 24-hour Read-Aloud program at the library’s downtown branch on October 14th. Costa was one of 144 participants who read for a total of 1,440 minutes in support of the Our Library, Our Future ballot initiative.
HARRSIBURG – State Senate Democrats today unveiled their revised job creation plan, called “PA Works Now,” which they claim would create 80,000 new jobs and leverage billions in private investment to generate jobs and economic activity.
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State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said job creation is the number one priority for this fall’s session of the General Assembly. He added that the PA Works Now package does not require new broad based taxes, is fully paid for and does not put additional strain on the state General Fund.
“PA Works Now features a new investment vehicle called the Pennsylvania Investment Bank that will quickly pump $1.2 billion into the economy and create jobs,” Costa said. “Our goal is to jump start the economy and create new jobs in the shortest possible time.
“Job creation is the most important issue lawmakers must tackle this fall.”
The Democrats’ plan includes renewed investment in job-producing programs and public works such as water and sewer projects as well as money for new business investments. The plan also provides a new round of capital infusion for the state Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund and would establish Pennsylvania’s version of the successful “Georgia Works” on-the-job training program.
The Pennsylvania Investment Bank would target more than $1.2 billion for water and sewer system reconstruction, new business investment and other public works. The bank would capture funds generated from existing borrowing capacity. The bank would use $500 million in Commonwealth Finance Authority dollars plus a half-billion from PENNVEST (Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority).
The investment bank would also utilize $80 million in funds from a proposed Marcellus Shale tax or fee along with surplus state revenues. Democrats estimate that these sources would generate $180 million.
“There are so many workers who are looking for jobs and even more who are worried about what is next for them in this very difficult economic recovery,” Costa said. “Our comprehensive PA Works Now plan addresses job creation and presents an opportunity to move our economy forward.”
Democrats said action is needed now on their job creation plan because of the recent increase in unemployment. Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate spiked by nearly a half percent from July to August – rising to 8.2 percent. Since May, the number of unemployed Pennsylvanians grew by 45,000.
Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) decried the alarming increase in unemployment and the inaction of both the Corbett Administration and Republican lawmakers who control floor action in both the state House and Senate.
“The Corbett Administration has failed to respond to the hardship in the labor market in any discernable way,” Hughes said. “The administration is either tone-deaf to the plight of the unemployed or focusing on political wedge issues that do not create jobs. They’ve produced no new jobs plan.
“The priorities of the administration are skewed,” Hughes said.
Hughes criticized Corbett and Republicans for focusing on changing the apportionment of electoral votes, English-only legislation and voter ID legislation. These issues interest only “politicos on the extreme political fringe of the Republican Party. These proposals do nothing to help our economy grow,” Hughes said.
“We are stuck debating issues that appeal to the political extreme at the expense of working families,” Hughes said. “Working men and women need jobs. They don’t need political talk. That is a sham and it’s a shame.”
Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said the state has lost an opportunity to reverse negative economic trends. She noted that the recent business downturn has had a disproportionate impact on educators, women, minorities and Pennsylvania’s youth.
According to Schwank, the Corbett budget cuts have put several thousand educators or school staff out of work. The Berks county lawmaker said Senate Democrats will soon flesh-out a package of bills that would specifically help women, minorities and young people find jobs.
“Failing to take action now condemns those who have a difficulty getting jobs in a robust economy – women, minorities and our youth – to even deeper despair when the labor market contracts,” Schwank said. “Doing nothing on job creation is not an answer and it’s not fair. That’s why we need to work on a jobs plan like PA Works Now.”
Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe), who previously served as secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development, said PA Works Now would inject much-needed capital into business investment and job creation programs. He said doing so is essential toward generating economic activity and employment opportunities now.
“There is no question that our recovery from the recession is soft,” Blake said. “The state has a responsibility to incent private sector investment for job growth.”
Costa, Hughes, Schwank and Blake were joined by a host of Senate Democratic colleagues at the Capitol news conference.
Senate Democrats unveiled a previous version of PA Works earlier this year.
Senators who attended today’s news conference included Democratic Whip Anthony H. Williams (D-Philadelphia), Caucus Chairman Richard Kasunic (D-Fayette/Somerset), Caucus Secretary Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), Caucus Administrator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and state Sens. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester), Daylin Leach (D-Delaware/Montgomery), John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Monroe/Carbon) and Tim Solobay (D-Washington/Greene).
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PITTSBURGH – September 13, 2011 -Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) joined members of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee for a public hearing in Pittsburgh regarding the ongoing contract dispute between the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and Highmark, Inc.
Sen. Costa speaks at Pittsburgh hearing regarding Highmark/UPMC dispute
“It is unfathomable that UPMC and Highmark have yet to come to a compromise to settle their dispute,” Costa said. “This impasse is creating a great deal of anxiety, and these negotiations should not center on the financial benefits seen by these huge non-profits, but on the continued health and well-being of Highmark customers that rely on UPMC hospitals and doctors. The health of Pennsylvania residents and the availability of quality of health care is something we cannot afford to jeopardize.”
The 10-year reimbursement contract between Highmark and UPMC, which gives Highmark customers ‘in-network’ access to UPMC facilities, is due to expire next summer. A one-year ‘run-out’ period would follow the expiration.
Hearings are being held in an effort to gather information and determine whether or not there is any way in which the legislature can intervene to bring the current situation to an acceptable resolution.
Costa also joined Democratic and Republican House Leaders in July, urging Highmark President/CEO Dr. Kenneth Melani and UPMC’s President and CEO Jeffrey Romoff to keep the public interest and accessibility to quality care as their top priority in working toward agreement. (Read a copy of the letter here)
Michael Consedine, Pennsylvania’s Insurance Commissioner, testified at Tuesday’s hearing and provided the following contact information for consumers who are seeking further information or assistance. (Read his testimony)
The website is www.insurance.pa.gov.
The toll-free hotline is 877-881-6388.
According to Secretary Consedine, the agency will soon have a unit dedicated solely to health questions, and they are also in the process of creating a webpage devoted to clarifying the UPMC/Highmark contract dispute.
SCRANTON — With the aging populations expected to continually increase in the coming years, state Sen. John Blake and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa today hosted a local roundtable discussion focusing on senior care and services.
Nearly two dozen public officials and aging industry experts participated in the talk at Allied Services Skilled Nursing Center, including Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Brian Duke and members of the state House of Representatives who represent citizens within the 22nd Senatorial District.
“Today’s older citizens are more informed than ever. They’re health conscious, tech savvy and staying in the workplace longer,” Blake said. “We must address the current issues facing this growing population while anticipating the needs of the next and even bigger generation of seniors to come.”
Pennsylvania currently has the third highest population of adults ages 65 and older in the country and the fourth highest population of seniors ages 85 and older. Those numbers are expected to continually rise as the “Baby Boomer” generation begins to retire. Approximately 17.7 percent of the residents of Lackawanna County are aged 65 years or more, versus a statewide county average of 15.4 percent. In fact, by 2020, Pennsylvania’s 60 and older population is expected to rise to 25 percent of the total population, according to the Pennsylvania Health Care Association.
“Seniors have many options when it comes to service and care, from aging-in-place programs to varying levels of assisted and long-term care and even a variety of health and fitness programs geared specifically to them; and these services are always evolving,” said Costa (D-Allegheny). “We all need to ensure that Northeastern Pennsylvania, and the commonwealth as a whole, are providing the best access to care and services as well as affordable housing choices, and share ideas that are working here to improve senior services statewide.”
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HARRISBURG, August 25, 2011 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today announced the appointment of Gregory Fajt to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Fajt most recently served as the board’s chairman, appointed by Governor Ed Rendell in 2009.
“There were several factors to consider in making the appointment to the gaming board. Integrity and experience were at the top of the list,” said Costa. “There is no question that Greg Fajt has a great understanding of gaming issues, and his expertise has been an asset to the Commonwealth over the years. In additional to his vast knowledge of the industry, Greg has an outstanding reputation. His honesty and sound judgment were key factors in my decision.”
It was important to appoint a person knowledgeable of the myriad of issues associated with gaming, particularly as the board prepares to navigate a more competitive landscape, said state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny). Fontana is the Democratic chairman of the Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee which has oversight of the administrative function of the Gaming Control Board and its regulatory oversight of the PA gaming industry.
“Now that Ohio has given the green light for casinos right across our state line, we can’t afford to lose Greg Fajt’s insight and input,” said Fontana. “We need to be mindful of how to best compete with bordering states and make sure Pennsylvania’s casinos are the preferred destination. Under Greg’s tenure as chairman, we have done that.”
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board implemented a number of changes and saw significant progress during Fajt’s tenure, including successful implementation of table games at nine casinos within six months of passage of Pennsylvania’s gaming law. Table games have generated $90 million in tax revenues in the past year alone.
Additionally:
· PA became the No. 1 gaming tax revenue producer in the United States. This benefits Pennsylvanians through increased tax revenue used for — among other things — property tax reduction.
· Casino jobs have continued to grow. Pennsylvania casinos now directly employ over 15,000 people providing needed jobs during the down-turned economy.
· Transparency of the Gaming Control Board has been increased through video streaming of public meetings.
· Significant cost-cutting initiatives have been implemented, including the reduction of the number of autos assigned to agency personnel and significant cut-backs in out-of-state travel by agency personnel as well as board members.
· Pennsylvanians saw the successful opening of the Rivers, Sands, and Sugarhouse casinos.
· The board maintained strong oversight of Pennsylvania casinos, issuing numerous fines to casinos that allowed under-age patrons to enter and gamble in their facilities.
Fajt is a licensed attorney within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
“I will continue to work with my fellow board members to ensure that the oversight of Pennsylvania’s gaming industry is one in which other states can emulate,” said Fajt. “My commitment to maintain the integrity of the industry and the board is not taken lightly. Along with our dedicated staff, the board has made significant changes and will continue to make assessments. The ultimate goal is to make public confidence a priority and make sure Pennsylvanians continue to benefit from the industry’s profitability.”
Prior to his position with the board, Fajt served as chief of staff to Gov. Ed Rendell, the top advisor to the governor and manager of the day-to-day activities of the executive branch of state government, including 18 cabinet agencies and the Governor’s Office. Fajt joined Rendell’s senior staff in February 2007 as senior advisor, and prior to that served as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue from March 2003 through February 2007.
Fajt also served on several boards and commissions, including chair of the Pennsylvania Business Tax Reform Commission, the Taskforce for Working Families and the Economic Development Cabinet.
Fajt served as state representative for the 42nd District in Allegheny County from 1991 to 1996. During his tenure in the Pennsylvania Legislature, he focused on tax policy and economic development issues and served on the Finance, Judiciary, Professional Licensure and Tourism committees.
Before he joined the Rendell Administration, Fajt was a partner with Leech Tishman Fuscaldo and Lampl, LLC of Pittsburgh concentrating primarily in the areas of estate planning, and administration and corporate law. Fajt was also legal counsel for tax, corporate, and ERISA for Joy Technologies Inc., a Pittsburgh-based Fortune 500 company.
Fajt earned his law degree from Duquesne University in 1984, where the major emphasis of his studies was taxation. He graduated cum laude from St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1977.
Fajt has a long history as a volunteer for many community and charitable organizations. He was named Big Brother of the Year for Allegheny County in 2002. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Pittsburgh Blind Association, Beginning with Books, and St. Anne Home. He currently serves on the boards of ACHIEVA and the Burgess-McCormac Foundation.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is responsible for the regulatory and legal oversight of the gaming industry in the Commonwealth. Its mission is to protect the interest of the public by ensuring the integrity of legalized gaming through the strict enforcement of the law and regulations, the licensing of qualified individuals and entities, and fulfilling the objectives of limited gaming in the Commonwealth. The board is made up of seven members, three of whom are appointed by the governor, and four by the leadership of the General Assembly’s four caucuses.
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