Senator Costa Statement on Penn Hill School District

Pittsburgh, PA − January 16, 2019 − Senator Costa released the below statement on Penn Hill School District:

Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced that the Penn Hills School District will be taking its next steps toward complete financial recovery by entering the Commonwealth’s Financial Recovery Program. While in financial watch status PDE identified several areas that the district can improve upon to put it on solid financial footing. This new program will bring expert staff and new resources to Penn Hills to ensure that they stay on course to full financial recovery, while maintaining local control. 

The first step will be the appointment of a PDE funded staff position called a Chief Recovery Officer (CRO). The CRO will be the primary point of contact between the school district and PDE.  

The school board and CRO will first be responsible for completing a diagnostic analysis of the district’s finances and academic programs to get more information on specific areas the district can improve in.  

Once the diagnostic is finished the school board and CRO will develop a financial recovery plan, which will offer a systematic, strategic and comprehensive guide for getting the district back to full self-sufficiency and long-term financial and academic health.  

Senate Democratic Caucus Details Local Impacts of Federal Shutdown, Outline State Remedies

HARRISBURG, PA − January 16, 2019 −Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus stood together Wednesday, outlining the impacts of the federal shutdown on their constituents and addressing potential remedies at a state level.

“In my county of Allegheny, we have about 150,000 folks who will be impacted by the change to SNAP benefits, and we want to make certain that they understand what they can do and what steps they can take during this federal shutdown,” said Senate Democratic leader Jay Costa.

“Far too many real people with real needs have been affected by a senseless federal government shutdown and are at risk of suffering through no fault of their own,” Senator Vincent Hughes said. “We want to make sure the 1.8 million Pennsylvanians who receive SNAP benefits are aware of the shutdown’s impact and have the information they need to receive services through February and beyond.”

“The federal shutdown impacts Pennsylvanians in more ways than many people appreciate,” said Senator Shariff Street. “I along with several colleagues have encouraged our financial institutions to extend resources to federal workers so that they can provide for their children, pay utility bills and continue to function during this time.”

Senator Art Haywood stated that if the federal shutdown continues, there will be no SNAP payments for the month of February.

 “Make the SNAP benefits last. You will get two payments this month and are expected to have that last with no certain end date to the federal government shutdown,” said Senator Haywood. “Donald Trump said, ‘what do you have to lose?’ and now we are finding out.”

“An additional component of this federal shutdown is the effect on science, and the effect on what we rely on to keep us safe and healthy,” said Senator Daylin Leach.

Leach spoke to the fact that during the shutdown federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration are not doing their regular inspections of food, the Nation Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is not tracking and publishing weather patterns, and many scientists who work for the federal government are leaving for the private sector jobs.

Also in attendance at today’s press conference were Senators Andy Dinniman, Lindsey Williams, Steve Santarsiero, Anthony Williams, Maria Collett, Tim Kearney, Wayne Fontana, Larry Farnese and Katie Muth.

For more information about Pennsylvania resources for those struggling during this shutdown of the federal government, visit pasenate.com/snap for more information.

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Watch full press conference below.

 

Pa Senate Democratic Caucus Releases Committee Assignments

HARRISBURG, January 16, 2019 − Today, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus released its committee assignments for the 2019-20 legislative session.

“Committee meetings offer our members and the public the best opportunity to learn about legislation, and it’s important to assign Senators based on their interest and experience in the subject of each committee,” said Senator Costa. “I believe we have a great roster of committee chairs and members here that will delve into the issues of our caucus’ platform.”

The committees, listed here alphabetically, will have the following members from the Senate Democratic Caucus.

  • Aging & Youth: Maria Collett (Chair), John Sabatina, Jr., Judy Schwank, Christine Tartaglione
  • Agriculture & Rural Affairs: Judy Schwank (Chair), Andrew Dinniman, John Sabatina, Jr., Sharif Street
  • Appropriations: Vincent Hughes (Chair), Judy Schwank (Vice Chair), Jay Costa (Ex Officio), John Blake, Maria Collett, Art Haywood, Daylin Leach, Steve Santarsiero, Sharif Street
  • Banking & Insurance: Sharif Street (Chair), Lisa Boscola, James Brewster, Larry Farnese, Christine Tartaglione
  • Communications & Technology: Steve Santarsiero (Chair), Jay Costa, Tim Kearney, Lindsey Williams
  • Community, Economic & Recreational Development: Larry Farnese (Chair), John Blake, Lisa Boscola, Wayne Fontana, John Sabatina, Jr.
  • Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure: Lisa Boscola (Chair), Maria Collett, Larry Farnese, Steve Santarsiero, John Yudichak
  • Education: Andrew Dinniman (Chair), James Brewster, Daylin Leach, Lindsey Williams
  • Environmental Resources & Energy: John Yudichak (Chair), Andrew Dinniman, Daylin Leach, Anthony Williams
  • Finance: John Blake (Chair), Art Haywood, Vincent Hughes, Katie Muth
  • Game & Fisheries: James Brewster (Chair), Lisa Boscola, Andrew Dinniman, John Yudichak
  • Health & Human Services: Art Haywood (Chair), Katie Muth, Judy Schwank, Sharif Street
  • Intergovernmental Operations: Wayne Fontana (Chair), Art Haywood, Vincent Hughes, Katie Muth
  • Judiciary: Daylin Leach (Chair), Larry Farnese, Art Haywood, John Sabatina, Jr., Steve Santarsiero
  • Labor & Industry: Christine Tartaglione (Chair), Tim Kearney, Lindsey Williams, John Yudichak
  • Law & Justice: James Brewster (Chair), Wayne Fontana, Christine Tartaglione, Anthony Williams
  • Local Government: Tim Kearney (Chair), John Blake, Steve Santarsiero, Judy Schwank
  • Rules & Executive Nominations: Jay Costa (Chair), Lisa Boscola, Larry Farnese, Wayne Fontana, Vincent Hughes, Anthony Williams
  • State Government: Anthony Williams (Chair), Maria Collett, Katie Muth, Lindsey Williams
  • Transportation: John Sabatina, Jr. (Chair), John Blake, James Brewster, Tim Kearney, John Yudichak
  • Urban Affairs & Housing: Katie Muth (Chair), Wayne Fontana, Tim Kearney, Sharif Street
  • Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness: Lindsey Williams (Chair), John Blake, Maria Collett, Andrew Dinniman

State Senators Write Banks Asking Institutions to help 12,000 Federal Employees Working without Pay

Harrisburg, PA – January 10, 2019  – On behalf of the 12,000 Pennsylvania federal employees, contractors and subcontractors who are not receiving a paycheck during the partial federal government shutdown, Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery), Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) and Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) are taken steps to help those in need.

After hearing reports from constituents facing financial hardships during the shutdown, the senators wrote the 10 largest banks, relative to number of branches, in Pennsylvania. Their hopes are to share information about banks’ existing assistance programs or to spur action on behalf of working people with banks that have not addressed the issue.

“Ten years ago, we bailed out failing banks during a recession and now it is time to help working people during their financial crisis,” Sen. Hughes said. “These hard-working folks are suffering through no fault of their own. The least we can do is get them help until are get paid again.”

Motivations for the letter came from the senators understanding that 78 percent of U.S. workers live paycheck to paycheck and there are no furloughs for essential expenses. Mortgages, rent, groceries, car payments and other bills must be paid whether the government is functioning.

“We cannot stand by and do nothing while these federal employees are left without paychecks,” said Sen. Costa. “These are folks ready and willing to work in service of the federal government, but now face eviction and piling bills. I hope that financial institutions are willing to step up to help them, and I’ll do everything in my power to ensure these federal employees are not punished for this shutdown.”

In total, there are 62,000 federal workers in Pennsylvania and about 12,000 who are furloughed or working without pay. Nationally 800,000 federal employees have had their jobs disrupted, with 380,000 furloughed or sent home without pay. These figures speak to an economic crisis that must be addressed, the senators said.

“As the stalemate in Washington is about to enter its fourth week, thousands of hard-working Pennsylvanians are suffering a very heavy burden,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “I can’t think of any greater commitment to purpose and level of professionalism than we are seeing from those who want to work, but can’t, and from those who continue to work, but aren’t receiving their just compensation. It is imperative that we do all we can as a community to support them in their time of need.”

Rallies and protests across Pennsylvania also drew the attention of the senators who have made the fight for working people a central issue. Pennsylvania’s furloughed federal workers not receiving paychecks include TSA officers, federal prison workers, national park workers and employees of the Environmental Protection agency.

“The financial strain placed on federal government employees, contractors and subcontractors in the commonwealth continues to grow,” Sen. Street said. “This is a heavy burden on individuals and families who they cannot endure such hardships for an extended period of time. Banks have an opportunity to mitigate these hardships and must help the people. As the Democratic chairman of the Banking and Insurance Committee, I encourage the banks to act with urgency in this regard.”

The full letter to the banks can be found here.

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