Pittsburgh, PA – March 29, 2019 – Earlier today, Governor Tom Wolf nominated Allegheny County Public Defender Elliot Howsie to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Donna Jo McDaniel.
“I was honored to recommend Elliot Howsie,” said Senator Jay Costa, Jr. “Mr. Howsie has the incredible breadth of work and life experience for this position, and I believe he will be an invaluable addition to the bench. His peers agree, and in addition to my and the Governor’s support, he has the highest recommendation of the Bar Association.
“He possesses the requisite temperament and intellect for the job, and I look forward to his confirmation process in the coming weeks.”
Howsie grew up in Wilkinsburg, and after graduating from Central Catholic High School, Elliot attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in criminal justice.
As he pursued his master’s degree in criminal justice, Elliot worked in social services teaching decision making and reintegration skills to the children at Shuman Juvenile Detention Center.
Elliot went on to serve as an Assistant District Attorney for five years in the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, where he focused on prosecuting cases involving child abuse. After leaving the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, he established his own law firm. He worked as a sole practitioner specializing in criminal defense as well as personal injury cases in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, the Pennsylvania Superior Court, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
On March 19, 2012, Elliot Howsie was appointed by Allegheny County Executive, Rich Fitzgerald, to be Allegheny County’s first African American Chief Public Defender.
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HARRISBURG, PA, March 26, 2019 – Today, Senator Jay Costa, Jr. and local state representatives announced funding of more than $1.5 million for multi-modal transportation projects.
“We have a growing region, but to continue that development we have to make sure that folks can get around – whether they are walking or riding,” said Senator Costa. “Safe, accessible pedestrian walkways are needed in our region, and I’m proud to support the grants that will help them move forward.”
Multimodal grants awarded today include:
- $500,000 to the City of Pittsburgh for the Bigelow Boulevard Streetscape
- $500,000 to the City of Pittsburgh for the 21st Street Project
- $390,000 to the Borough of Verona for First Street reconstruction
- $250,000 to the Borough of Mt. Oliver for the Brownsville Road Streetscape, Phase 3
“These projects will increase safety along these two busy corridors and promote additional regional economic development,” said Rep. Readshaw, who represents the area covered by the 21st Street project and the Borough of Mt. Oliver. “Both of these projects [in my district] are important to their local communities, and I am pleased to announce they will be receiving an investment from the state.”
“Due to this allocation, not only will a local borough benefit from the reconstruction of a heavily traveled roadway,” said Rep. DeLuca, who represents Verona.
Additional grants will be awarded to Pittsburgh, including:
- $327,950 to the Pittsburgh Arena Real Estate Development, LLC for the Freedom Plaza and pedestrian walkway
- $350,000 to the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County for the I-579 Cap Urban Connector Project
“This support from the state recognizes the worthiness of these development projects and complements local efforts to ensure they progress as expeditiously and responsibly as possible,” said Senator Fontana, who represents those parts of the City.
The funding for these projects were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority through its Multimodal Transportation Fund. The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure safe transportation is available to all Pennsylvania residents.
HARRISBURG, PA, March 26, 2019 – Democrats from the Pennsylvania House and Senate today introduced a package of legislation aimed to curb harassment in the workplace, along with support from Governor Tom Wolf and Victim’s Advocate Jennifer Storm.
“As a caucus, we’ve worked with stakeholders and advocates and our own employees to craft a package of legislation that we believe can curb sexual harassment and do more to protect its victims,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Jr. “Each of our bills in this package is aimed at expanding protections to individuals regardless of the size or type of their employment, because time is up on workplace harassment.”
“Workplace sexual harassment and discrimination didn’t begin overnight, and so it will take some time to properly correct,” Gov. Wolf said. “It’s not as easy as putting a few big-name figures in jail. We need to identify the everyday behaviors and correct them if we want Pennsylvania to be a great place to live and work. People can’t do their best work when they feel uncomfortable. You deserve to be treated in a way that meets basic standards that represent how we want all workers in Pennsylvania to act, and you should be treated with the respect and dignity that all workers in Pennsylvania deserve. That’s why I’m advocating for legislation to prevent workplace sexual harassment and discrimination in both the public and private sectors.”
The bills will be introduced in identical form in each chamber. They do the following:
- Cover contractors and unpaid interns under the protections of the Human Relations Act
- Amend the Human Relations Act to require employers to provide training to employees and to require standardized fair practice postings to specifically include examples of harassment and discrimination
- Require sexual harassment training for lobbyists
- Extend the Human Relations Act to include domestic workers
- Provide right to jury trial, punitive damages and an extended statute of limitations under the Whistleblower Bill
- Expand the Human Relations Act to include coverage from four employees to one employee, add the right to a jury trial, punitive damages, attorney fees and extend the statute of limitations
- Require employers to adopt written workplace harassment policies and reporting procedures
- Add sexual orientation and gender expression or identity to the list of classifications protected under the Pa. Human Relations Act
“For years, workplace harassment has been a pervasive issue in career fields across Pennsylvania and this nation. We need to harness the momentum and strength of the #MeToo movement and reverse years of discrimination in the workplace,” said Senator Larry Farnese. “No one, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation, should be pressured by, or suffer from, the weight of workplace harassment.”
“We need to make it clear that there is no place for any form of harassment and there will be no tolerance for it either,” said Senator Wayne D. Fontana. “With this legislative package, we are taking definitive steps that both send a strong message and back it up with substantive changes to how harassment can be prevented, how it should be handled and how victims should be treated.”
“Protecting whistleblowers on workplace harassment and discrimination is a small part of the solution to change our culture.” said Senator Haywood. “I am introducing this legislation again knowing that we have a long way to go.”
“In today’s business climate, when employers often turn to independent contractors and unpaid interns to fulfill their staffing needs, Pennsylvania law must account for and protect all worker classifications. Everyone is entitled to a workplace that is free of harassment and discrimination,” Senator Tartaglione said.
For more information, visit PaSenate.com/harassment
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