PITTSBURGH, PA – February 22, 2024 – Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued a per curium order, dismissing the appeals in Pa. Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee v PA. Department of State.
This action was initiated by the Democratic members of the Intergovernmental Operations Committee (Senators A. Williams, Hughes, Santarsiero and Costa and later joined by current members Tartaglione and Saval) when Sen. Dush and Republican members of the committee voted to issue a subpoena to gain access to the registration and voting information of more than 9 million voters in the Commonwealth. That suit was joined, in separate actions filed by both the Department of State and concerned voters in a private capacity including Sen. Haywood.
In response, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa issues the following statement:
“I am extremely proud of yesterday’s decision, which will protect the sensitive data of Pennsylvania’s voters, and ensure that the privacy of Pennsylvania’s 9 million voters will be preserved,” said Senator Costa. “The action by my colleagues in the Senate Democratic caucus to go to court ultimately blocked an inappropriate and misguided subpoena issued by the Republican committee chair, Sen. Dush, who sought to obtain the confidential information of Pennsylvania voters and then pass it on to a partisan outside vendor under the guise of conducting a trumped-up election audit. The Supreme Court has ruled that the subpoena is no longer effective and, in the process, has vacated a lower court ruling that would have made it more difficult for voters to assert their constitutional rights to privacy.
“Our Senate Democratic Caucus believes the right to vote in fair and free elections is of critical importance, and we are proud to stand up for all voters in ensuring that their private information is secure, and they have confidence in the integrity of our elections. I look forward to continuing to protect our freedom to choose our leaders, as well as expanding access to the ballot while fiercely protecting our sensitive data.”
The PA Supreme Court dismissed the appeal as moot, but also vacated Judge Leavitt’s order which provided, in part provided that the subpoena could not be challenged until the Senate sought to enforce it. The appeal filed by the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic caucus challenged that notion as important privacy rights as well as a lack of statutory authority to request the information by subpoena required resolution.
Learn more about the Senate Democrats’ commitment to fair and free elections for every Pennsylvanian here.
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WILKINSBURG, February 15, 2024 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, today joined Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Senator Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia), Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks), and several members of the House Democratic Policy Committee to host a joint public hearing on legislation that would establish a statewide policy on the sealing of eviction records.
The hearing, held at the Wilkinsburg Borough Building in Allegheny County, included discussion about the impact of evictions on Pennsylvania residents, the importance of fair and affordable housing, and the legal implications of not sealing eviction records.
“Today’s joint hearing really highlighted the need for legislation to establish a statewide eviction record sealing policy,” Muth said. “Eviction sealing allows individuals to move forward, learn from their experiences, and rebuild their lives without fear that any past evictions will prevent them from accessing safe, affordable housing.”
Several Senate Democrats are currently drafting a companion bill to House Bill 1769, which would establish procedures for limited access to eviction records. The bill would require courts to seal eviction case files unless and until a renter loses the case in court, at which point the records would be unsealed.
“As the leader of the PA Senate Democratic Caucus, I am proud to be working with my colleagues to find ways to deliver safe, affordable homes for every Pennsylvanian,” Costa said. “Today’s conversation illuminated the urgency of removing barriers to housing for our families across PA, and I look forward to continuing this conversation as we go forward.”
A recent report published by PolicyLink and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia indicated that eviction records negatively affect a person’s credit score and lessen future housing opportunities. Limited in this way, people many times are forced to live in unsafe housing or experience homelessness.
“A single eviction filing inflicts lasting harm on a family, disrupting access to safe housing, employment and educational opportunities, and enduring connections with their communities,” Senator Saval, Minority Chair of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, added. “A statewide eviction record sealing policy will protect renters in the short term and lay the groundwork for more equitable housing and health outcomes for Pennsylvanians of all backgrounds. With one in 14 renter households at risk for an eviction filing, the Pennsylvania General Assembly has a chance to shift the landscape.”
In 2021, the City of Philadelphia enacted the Renters’ Access Act to restrict landlord’s use of eviction court records in housing decisions. And according to data tracked by PolicyLink, there are 15 states that have enacted policies that seal or expunge eviction records or restrict how landlords can screen tenants.
“All over the Commonwealth, the cost of housing is rising at an alarming rate, and more and more Pennsylvanians struggle to find affordable, safe homes. While we are in the midst of a housing crisis, wrongful and no-fault evictions are permanent on a tenant’s record,” Schwank said. “These no-fault evictions are another needless barrier working-class Pennsylvanians must overcome while seeking the affordable, safe housing they deserve. I’m proud to co-host this hearing with my colleagues and hope we can bring more attention to an issue the legislature must address.”
In testimony provided during the hearing, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia attorney Holly Beck indicated that the burden of eviction records is not distributed evenly among communities: landlords disproportionately file against households of color, people with disabilities, and women, and these communities therefore disproportionately feel the burden of eviction records. Black women raising small children experience more eviction filings than any other demographic group.
“An eviction filing can significantly impair a person’s ability to secure housing for the rest of their lives, even if that filing is without merit or is dismissed. And without a home address, it can be almost impossible to get a job, schooling, or other benefits that we take for granted every day,” Senator Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) added. “I’m grateful to today’s panelists for sharing their experiences and explaining why we need a statewide eviction sealing policy.”
Additional participants in the hearing included Haley Passione, Court Resource Navigator, RentHelp PGH; Holly Beck, Division Supervising Attorney, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia; Deanna Dyer, Policy Director, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Kyle Webster, Vice President of Housing and General Counsel, Action Housing; Maura Jacob, Policy & Community Impact Officer, The Pittsburgh Foundation; and Aaron Zappia, Director of Government Affairs, Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania.
Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware) also virtually participated in the joint policy hearing.
All submitted testimony from the policy hearing and the full video is available at SenatorMuth.com/Policy.
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Testimony
Panel 1: Affected People
Panel 2: Legal Implications
Panel 3: Advocacy
Additional Testimony
HARRISBURG – Legislation to create a western Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue task force was approved unanimously by the Senate today, according to Sens. Devlin Robinson (R-37) and Jay Costa (D-43).
Senate Bill 792 would establish a western Pennsylvania-based Urban Search and Rescue task force to supplement Task Force One – located in the southeastern part of the commonwealth. It is a team of individuals comprised of firefighters, engineers, medical professionals, canine handlers and emergency managers that have specialized training and equipment to provide emergency response capabilities during disasters.
“With the size and population of the Pittsburgh region, it is necessary that the first responders in this area are properly supported and equipped to respond to disasters,” Robinson said. “Sen. Costa and I worked together to co-sponsor this important legislation to ensure our constituents and all Pennsylvania residents have the safety and protection they need and deserve.”
“I am delighted that this bipartisan legislation to create a western Pennsylvania-based Urban Search and Rescue task force has passed the Senate. The people of Allegheny County and the western side of the commonwealth deserve the peace of mind that help is available when disasters strike,” Costa said. “I look forward to getting this bill through the House of Representatives and ultimately to the governor’s desk for his signature.”
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
HARRISBURG, PA – February 6, 2024 – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro laid out his vision and priorities for the 2024-25 Pennsylvania Budget. In it, the Governor proposed historic increases in basic education spending, economic development, housing, community safety, and healthcare.
“Today’s budget proposal is a very solid plan to deliver for every Pennsylvanian. It’s a thorough, bold plan to open the doors of opportunity in a myriad of areas,” said Senator Costa. “From historic investments in basic education funding to laying out an aggressive economic development plan, this budget prepares Pennsylvania’s students and workers for a vibrant future in our commonwealth. I look forward to continuing to bring all parties to the table as we go forward through this budget process.”
“This budget prioritizes the urgent need for Pennsylvania to invest in our public schools and fix our unconstitutional education system. I applaud the Governor’s commitment to fully and adequately fund public schools and take action on the recommendations of our Basic Education Funding Commission. We have the money. And it’s far past time we fix our schools and ensure that future generations never have to walk into a crumbling school or lack educational tools they need to succeed,” said Senator Hughes. “And the Governor’s plans to invest in our teachers and toxic schools is another important piece of the puzzle to fix our schools. Without sufficient, well-trained, and experienced teachers, and safe and healthy school buildings, our investments in basic education will not go far.
Overall, this budget proposal embraces forward progress and answers to kitchen table concerns of Pennsylvanians. If we make focused investments in areas like education, affordable housing, gun violence, and economic development now, we’ll yield tremendous opportunity for the future. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Governor to make these important investments a reality for the people of Pennsylvania.”
The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus has laid out its vision to deliver For Every Pennsylvanian. This year’s budget includes important developments on some crucial areas, including:
- $1.4 billion toward fixing Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional and inadequate education funding system
- Over $38 million for teacher support and recruitment
- Over $100 million for solutions to end gun violence
- Over $600 million for economic development
- $50 million for the Whole Home Repairs program
- A $15/hour minimum wage
- An additional $5 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant, bringing the total to $10 million
- An additional $238 million for mass transit across PA
- $11 million to cap abandoned wells
- $3 million for menstrual hygiene products for school students
More information about the caucus’s priorities is available at PASenate.com/priorities.
Footage of today’s press conference is available at PASenate.com/budget. Downloadable footage is available upon request.
