$ 300 Million Education Common Core Mandate Threatens Graduation

Harrisburg, May 13, 2013 – A new unfunded education mandate now being quietly pursued by the Corbett administration will soon saddle school districts with a $ 300 million expense and threaten graduation for thousands of…   Continue reading →

Costa Comments on Former Gov. George Leader’s Death

HARRISBURG, May 9, 2013 — State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today expressed his thoughts on the death of George M. Leader, who was Pennsylvania’s governor from 1955-59 and was a member of the state Senate…   Continue reading →

Sen. Jay Costa Statement on Pennsylvania Supreme Court Redistricting Decision

Harrisburg – May 8, 2013 – State Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) released the following statement on the decision of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to uphold the legislative redistricting plan: “The approval of the redistricting…   Continue reading →

Costa Pleased with Highmark/WPASH Affiliation Approval

Harrisburg,  April 29, 2013 – State Sen. Jay Costa released the following statement on the state Insurance Department’s approval of Highmark’s proposed affiliation with the West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS). Costa has been a…   Continue reading →

Senate Democrats Seek Job Creation, Education, Safety Net Dollars in Budget Discussions

Harrisburg, April 17, 2013 – Senate Democrats’ 2013-14 budget priorities are heavily weighted toward job creation, education investments, strengthening the social-services safety net, modernizing liquor sales and refocusing Pennsylvania’s business tax menu to help small businesses,…   Continue reading →

Rand Study Supports Medicaid Expansion, Senators Say

Harrisburg, March 28, 2013 – Two top Democratic state Senators who have been urging the Corbett administration to expand Medicaid said the governor should pay attention to a new, detailed study commissioned by The Hospital…   Continue reading →

Costa, Ferlo Express Disappointment at Liquor Privatization Plan

Harrisburg, March 21, 2013 — Senate Democratic Law and Justice Chair Jim Ferlo (D-Pittsburgh) and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today released statements expressing their opposition to the passage of the wine and spirits privatization…   Continue reading →

Senate Democrats Announce Medicaid Expansion Legislation

HARRISBURG, March 13, 2013 – Senate Democrats announced sweeping legislation that would compel Pennsylvania to participate in the expansion of Medicaid so that 650,000 more Pennsylvanians would be covered by health…   Continue reading →

Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee Holds Hearing on Medicaid Expansion

Pittsburgh, March 8, 2013 – Democratic members of the state Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing in Pittsburgh today to receive testimony from local officials and health-care experts regarding Pennsylvania’s option to expand Medicaid coverage…   Continue reading →

Costa Urges Governor to Reinstate adultBasic Coverage

Harrisburg, March 5, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today issued the following statement concerning Commonwealth Court’s decision regarding the diversion of tobacco settlement funds from the adultBasic and Medical Assistance for Workers…   Continue reading →

Costa: Allegheny County Airport Receives State Grant

HARRISBURG, March 4, 2013 – The Allegheny County Airport will be receiving a 2,000 state grant for the design and construction of hangars. “The Allegheny County Airport plays an important role in aiding business and…   Continue reading →

Senator Costa Celebrates Dr. Seuss and ‘Read Across America’ Day with Area Students

March 1, 2013 — State Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today joined with educators and school children and celebrated the importance of reading with…   Continue reading →

Sen. Costa Hosts Town Hall Meeting

February 25, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) held a town hall meeting at Chatham University in the Laughlin Music Hall, Welker Room on Saturday, February 23rd  from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. [divider…   Continue reading →

Sen. Costa to Host Town Hall Meeting

FOREST HILLS – February 22, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said that public input is critical to having a fair and informed budget process in Harrisburg and that Town Hall Meetings are…   Continue reading →

Senate Democrats Applaud Attorney General Kane’s Decision on Lottery

Harrisburg,  February 14, 2013 – State Senate Democrats applauded Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s decision to reject the Corbett Administration’s plan to privatize the management of the Pennsylvania Lottery to a U.K.-based company Camelot Global…   Continue reading →

Costa, Blake to Gov: Let Lottery Implement AFSCME Approach to Raise Profit

Harrisburg, February 11, 2013 – State Sens. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and John Blake (D- Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) said that instead of outsourcing the Pennsylvania Lottery’s operations to a U.K. company, Camelot Global Services, the governor should allow…   Continue reading →

Senate Democrats React to Governor’s 2013-14 Budget Proposal

HARRISBURG, February 5, 2013 — Governor Corbett outlined his 2013-14 budget proposal today, which my colleagues and I view as a false choice plan for Pennsylvania. It does little to address the problems the commonwealth is facing…   Continue reading →

Senator Costa to Hold Town Hall Meeting

Mark your calendars and join me for the first of many town hall meetings.  We’ll be getting together to discuss your thoughts and concerns on issues affecting you and all of Pennsylvania.  Numerous community organizations…   Continue reading →

Costa, Dinniman Express Dismay at Liquor Privatization Plan

Harrisburg,  January 30, 2013 — Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Senate Democratic Education Chair Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) today released statements expressing their opposition to Governor Tom Corbett’s plan to privatize and expand the…   Continue reading →

Senate Democrats Appalled at Corbett Administration Lottery Decision

Harrisburg — January 11, 2012 — Senate Democrats today released statements expressing dismay and disgust at the actions of the Corbett Administration  in announcing the notice of award as it relates to the private management agreement,…   Continue reading →