Harrisburg, PA – September 20, 2023 – Today, the Pennsylvania Senate advanced HB 27, a bill to distribute crucial school mental health funding and community violence prevention funding.
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) personally advocated an amendment that disperses $100 million for mental health programs in schools.
Regarding its passage, Senator Costa offers the following statement:
“I am very proud that HB 27 has cleared another important hurdle, as it approves spending for vital programs to benefit our schools, students, educators, and mental health professionals,” said Senator Costa. “As this commonwealth continues to face an unprecedented mental health epidemic, it’s heartening that both houses of the PA Legislature are taking this crisis seriously and funding solutions that we are confident will work. I look forward to continuing to improve access to mental healthcare and promoting safe communities for every Pennsylvanian.”
HB 27 clarifies language on the community violence program so that funds can be distributed.
The bill also streamlines school safety programs by requiring the Department of Education to work in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for collecting important data and developing programs to support students, reduce student delinquency, and promote better learning environments.
Lastly, the underlying bill provides for the extension of an important waiver program that allowed for flexibility for schools to use additional personnel for filling substitute teacher and paraprofessional positions.
HB 27 now goes back to the House of Representatives for its concurrence.
The text of HB 27 is accessible here.
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RADNOR, August 24, 2023 – State Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks), chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and Senator Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery/Delaware) co-hosted a public hearing yesterday in Radnor to discuss skill games in Pennsylvania.
The hearing, held at the Radnor Township Municipal Building, featured three panels of testimony from experts in gaming, regulation, and law enforcement to discuss the current status of “skill games”, an ongoing court battle over the legality of the games, and how they affect people directly and indirectly.
“The issue of skill games in Pennsylvania is a complicated topic and we really need to be thoughtful and consider all perspectives on this issue – law enforcement and gaming regulators, but also that of small business owners and our VFWs that rely on these machines for revenue,” Muth said. “Yesterday’s hearing was very informative and I look forward to continuing this discussion and working with my colleagues to address the issues raised regarding skill games in Pennsylvania.”
In submitted testimony, the American Gaming Association (AGA) indicated that the number of “skill games” significantly outnumbers the 25,746 regulated slot machines across the state. The AGA estimates that 61% of gambling machines in Pennsylvania are currently unregulated.
“Any expansion of the gaming industry in the Commonwealth is cause for skepticism and requires thoughtful action. The alarming rate at which these so-called ‘skill games’ are growing in prevalence demands a response. Yesterday’s hearing shed light on the numerous ways these skill games cause harm to Pennsylvanians and our economy,” Senator Cappelletti said. “I walked away ready to propose solutions to these problems. I hope my colleagues will join me.”
Senator Cappelletti has circulated a cosponsor memo proposing to add “skill games” to the list of illegal gambling devices in Title 18. The language of her proposed bill will be similar to what was proposed in Senate Bill 212 of the 2021-22 session.
“Yesterday‘s hearing helped me and my colleagues understand of the very serious concerns various organizations and stakeholders have about the skills game industry and how it is regulated,” Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) added. “I look forward to continue finding solutions that are fair and equitable for every Pennsylvanian.”
Participants in the hearing included Kevin O’Toole, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board; Jeff Morris, Vice President for Public Affairs & Government Relations, Penn Entertainment; Chris Cykle, Vice President of Government Relations, American Gaming Association; Jack Stollsteimer, Delaware County District Attorney; and Curtis Jones, Majority Leader, Philadelphia City Council.
Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and Senator Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) also participated in the hearing virtually.
All submitted testimony from the policy hearing and the full video is available at SenatorMuth.com/Policy.
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Agenda →
Testimony
Panel 1 : Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Panel 2: Gaming Industry
Panel 3: Criminal Effects of Skill Gaming
Additional Documents
- Background Documents Submitted by Penn Entertainment
- PENN Entertainment Presentation
- Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino Opposition to Skill Games Letter – August 23, 2023
- Casinos Amici Curiae Brief 761 CD 2023 – August 16, 2023
- Casinos Amici Curiae Brief 707 CD 2023 – August 16, 2023
- Appeal from the Order of the Honorable Andrew H. Dowling of the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County, Civil Division, 2022-CV-06333-MD, dated March 23, 2023, Granting Motion for Return of Property
- Appeal from the Order of the Court of Common Pleas of Monroe County, entered February 8, 2023, at No. 6673 CV 2021
- Amicus Curiae Brief Gaming Control Board – August 16, 2023
- Amicus Curiae Brief American Gaming Association – August 16, 2023
Pittsburgh − August 2, 2023 − Today, a jury sentenced Robert Bowers to death for his 63 charges related to the Tree of Life massacre. State Senator Jay Costa, whose district includes Squirrel Hill, offers the following statement in response:
“Legally, today closes the book on this painful, horrendous chapter in our community’s history. I sincerely hope that the families and loved ones of those murdered can begin to find some peace and healing. As we move forward, we must support each other and work together to make sure a tragedy like this never occurs again.”
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PITTSBURGH, PA− July 21, 2023 − Today, State Senator Jay Costa announces a $14.6 million investment in water infrastructure through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). This investment by PENNVEST is crucial in PWSA’s ongoing effort to remediate and replace aging infrastructure in Allegheny County.
“Each and every one of us deserves clean air, potable water, and a safe home we can afford,” said Senator Costa. “In conjunction with the federal and state government, I am glad we are taking care of the infrastructure that improves the water delivered to our families, friends, and neighbors.”
In Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority received a $4,599,382 loan and a $10,005,618 grant to replace lead service lines at approximately 1,200 homes. The project will contribute to the protection of adults and children from lead.
This project was funded by the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Funds for these projects are disbursed after expenses for work are paid and receipts are submitted to PENNVEST for review. A complete list of PENNVEST investment is available here.
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Harrisburg, PA – July 7, 2023 − Sunday, July 9th, marks seventeen years since Pennsylvania lawmakers last raised the minimum wage.
On July 9th, 2006, Governor Ed Rendell was joined by Senator Christine Tartaglione, Senator Vincent Hughes, and Senator Jay Costa, to sign Senate Bill 1090, Senator Tartaglione’s legislation that raised PA’s minimum wage to $7.15.
“When Senate Bill 1090 was signed into law in 2006, it was a promise to continue to fight for our Commonwealth’s lowest earners and ensure that the needs of Pennsylvanian’s lowest earners are never forgotten or cast aside,” said Senator Tartaglione. “I reintroduced Senate Bill 12 because I, like so many of my colleagues refuse to sit idly by as the Pennsylvanians that earn our poverty level minimum wage continue to struggle to make ends meet. Pennsylvania needs its government to act swiftly and decisively on behalf of our Commonwealth’s workers that need it most.”
Senate Democrats continue to support a higher minimum wage. In June, House Democrats passed a bill that would raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026. Senator Christine Tartaglione (D- Philadelphia) introduced Senate Bill 12, a similar bill.
“Pennsylvania is failing our workers,” said Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery). “For seventeen years now, Republican state lawmakers have done nothing to guarantee hard working people get paid fairly and adequately for contributions to our economy. I was proud to join Governor Rendell in 2006 to support pay that benefited workers and families. I hope to join Governor Shapiro one day to end seventeen years of inaction for minimum wage workers in Pennsylvania.”
Pennsylvania’s current minimum wage sits at the federal requirement of $7.25. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Pennsylvania’s minimum wage is far from a livable wage in the state. The cost of housing and other living expenses has continued to rise while Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has remained stagnant for over a decade.
A minimum wage increase to $15 an hour would impact one million workers who are currently making less than $15 an hour in Pennsylvania.
“Everyone who works for a living deserves to earn a living wage, and the current minimum wage in PA is not one. It is long past time to do right by our working families and make sure we can raise our children on one good job,” said Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny). “I have been proud to champion a living wage for every Pennsylvanian, and I look forward to working alongside fellow legislators, workers, and activists to deliver on this crucial value.”
Senate Democrats stand ready to vote on the House bill, but Senate Republicans, who are in the majority, must bring it to the floor for a vote. Meanwhile, every state surrounding Pennsylvania has raised the minimum wage. New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio, all pay a higher minimum wage. Pennsylvania is in last place when it comes to delivering for workers.
“Raising the minimum wage is critical to respecting the dignity of hardworking people so that they can afford housing and food, and so that they don’t have to choose between food, heat, clothing, and other basic needs,” said Senator Art Haywood (D-Phila./Montgomery), who has also been a fierce advocate for raising PA’s minimum wage.
He continued, “This is about helping parents and allowing them to be parents, no longer having to work two or three jobs and having greater freedom to provide their children with a better education, enrich their young ones with opportunities like recreational activities, be more active in their communities, and spend time with their families.”
