Newsroom
Senate Democratic Caucus Policy Committee Holds Hearing Regarding Solutions for Addressing Housing Affordability
McKees Rocks − September 16, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a hearing to examine housing affordability and seeking solutions to a growing issue across Pennsylvania. “Housing affordability continues to be a major issue across...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Offers a Statement on Pittsburgh Regional Transit Funding Announcement
PITTSBURGH, PA – September 11, 2025 − Today, PRT requested permission from Governor Shapiro and PENNDOT to use infrastructure dollars for operating expenses. This follows the Governor’s approval of SEPTA’s request for temporary operational support using state funds...
Senator Jay Costa Announces Over $440,000 for Broadband Access in the 43rd Senatorial District
PITTSBURGH, PA – The PA Broadband Development Authority met on Friday, August 22, at 10 a.m. to award grants from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. These grants will generate over $1.3 Billion in infrastructure spending that will create...
Senator Costa Offers Remarks on HB 257
Senators Jay Costa and Vincent Hughes Discuss an Overdue 2025-26 Budget and Transit Funding
On The Issues: PA Budget
Senator Costa Discusses 2025-26 Budget Updates on CBS 21
Session Spotlight : June 23, 2025
Senator Costa Joins Leaders to Defend Medicaid in East Liberty
Senate Democratic Caucus Policy Committee Hosts Second Hearing Regarding Worker Protections
PITTSBURGH, PA − June 12, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a second hearing to continue the dialogue on what is needed to safeguard Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and economy through a skilled and dependable workforce. ...
Session Spotlight :: September 8, 2025
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Announces Over $3.5 Million in PCCD Federal Victims of Crime Act Grant Funding for the 43rd Senatorial District
PITTSBURGH, PA – September 10, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa announces $3,556,350 in funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) benefitting the 43rd district, encompassing parts of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. These...
Senator Costa Gives Budget Update
Senator Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes Express Frustration, Urgency as Senate Republicans Fail to Meaningfully Advance Budget Negotiations, Transit Funding
HARRISBURG, PA – Today, the Senate of Pennsylvania convened for session. Instead of advancing bills to bring the 2025-26 budget process to a close and to fully fund public transit, roads, and bridges, Senate Republicans chose to advance HB 257, a bill that would...
Senate Democratic Caucus Policy Committee Roundtable Regarding Emergency Service and First Responder Recruitment
EPHRATA, PA − July 30, 2025 − Today, Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller held a secondary roundtable discussion of the current challenges emergency service and first responders are facing in their communities. “We have heard a clear and...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Expresses Disappointment and Concern for Pennsylvania as Congress sends Domestic Policy Bill to Trump’s Desk
HARRISBURG, PA − July 3, 2025 − Today, US Congress passed President Trump’s domestic policy bill by a vote of 218-214, sending it to his desk for his final signature. It's estimated that 300,000 Pennsylvanians will lose Medicaid, and over 143,000 will lose SNAP....
Senate Democrats Continue to Sound Alarm on Catastrophic Impacts of Trump’s Reconciliation Bill on Healthcare, Hospitals, and Food Access Across Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, PA − June 30, 2025 − On Monday, June 30, members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus gathered in the East Wing Rotunda to draw attention to the urgency of stopping Trump’s domestic policy bill from becoming law. In its current form, the bill poses an existential threat to Medicaid, SNAP, and rural hospitals across Pennsylvania.
Senate Passes Lifesaving, Bipartisan Breast Cancer Imaging Legislation
HARRISBURG – June 24, 2025 − With broad bipartisan support, the Senate today approved legislation to strengthen Pennsylvania’s no-cost breast cancer screening law by ensuring diagnostic imaging is fully covered, removing financial barriers for patients. Sponsored by Sen. Frank Farry (R-6) and Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Bill 88 builds on the success of Act 1 of 2023, which provided no-cost preventive screenings for those at high risk.
Session Spotlight :: June 9, 2025
Senators Jay Costa and Camera Bartolotta Reintroduce Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Legislation
HARRISBURG, PA – June 9, 2025 − Today, State Senators Jay Costa and Camera Bartolotta reintroduced legislation to prevent Electric Shock Drowning (ESD) in Pennsylvania’s docks and marinas. ESD has become the catch-all phrase to encompass all in-water shock casualties...
Sen. Costa Update on Public Transportation
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Responds to SEPTA Funding Announcement, Calls for Statewide Permanent Sustainable Transit Funding
HARRISBURG, PA – September 8, 2025 – Today, Governor Shapiro and PennDOT approved SEPTA’s request for temporary operational support using state funds that are typically reserved for capital expenses that fund the purchase and maintenance of transit vehicles and...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes Urge Senate Republicans to Return to Negotiations as House Votes Down Unserious Budget and Transit Bills
HARRISBURG, PA – Today, the House Rules Committee and the House Appropriations Committee voted down HB 257 and SB 160, respectively. Passed in the Senate yesterday evening, these bills represented unserious and unagreed-to budget proposals that were roundly condemned...
Senator Costa Offers Remarks on SB 160
Senate Democratic Leaders Urge Senate Republicans to Act After House Passes Budget Bill
HARRISBURG, PA - July 14, 2025 – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed HB 1330, an important step to closing out this year’s budget: ...
Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa Laments Passage of Trump Domestic Policy Package, Implores Pennsylvanians to Call Congress
HARRISBURG, PA − July 1, 2025 − On Tuesday, the US Senate passed President Trump’s landmark domestic policy package by a vote of 51-50, sending it back to the US House of Representatives before it goes to the President’s desk. This bill will slash funding to...
Senate Democrats Continue to Sound Alarm on Catastrophic Impacts of Trump’s Reconciliation Bill on Healthcare, Hospitals, and Food Access Across Pennsylvania
“Stop the Billionaire Tax Giveaway” National Bus Tour Stops in Harrisburg
Harrisburg, PA − June 24, 2025 − On Tuesday, June 24th Fair Share America, Pennsylvanians Together and Unrig our Economy brought the “Stop the Billionaire Tax Giveaway” national bus tour to Harrisburg’s Capitol Complex to highlight the devastating impact of the GOP’s budget and tax proposal on the Keystone State’s families, communities and economy.