Pennsylvania State Senate, Jay Costa

Jay Costa Jr is currently a state senator in District 43. He was first elected in 1996 and is serving his 7th term. 

As of September 30, 2024, Jay Costa Jr’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

Wants to increase funding of public schools.

- Wants to increase funding of public schools.

Education

Candidate website

Supports the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) provisions and believes Pennsylvania should have strong insurance and care access protections.

Supports maintaining and expanding the Affordable Care Act to ensure that everyone has access to health insurance. 

Believes reproductive health care access needs protection and expansion.

- Supports maintaining and expanding the Affordable Care Act to ensure that everyone has access to health insurance. 
- Believes reproductive health care access needs protection and expansion.

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Supports gun control measures such as universal background checks, Red Flag Laws, and stronger requirements to report lost and stolen weapons.

Public Safety

Plans to increase affordable housing programs.

- Plans to increase affordable housing programs.

Energy & the Environment

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Jay Costa Jr

As of October 5, 2024, Jay Costa Jr’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jay Costa Jr. is a State Senator for Pennsylvania's 43rd district. He previously worked as Allegheny County Register of Wills and has experience working at two Pittsburgh law firms. He also served as a Deputy Sheriff and worked as a substitute teacher in Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Believes in fostering innovation to support the diverse economy of Pittsburgh.

Supports encouraging affordable housing programs through "robust state funding."

Believes in moving Pennsylvania forward through "vision, hard work, and never leaving anyone behind."

Supports policies that promote economic growth, job creation, and fair labor practices.

Believes in supporting local economies and businesses.

Supports investing in local infrastructure and community organizations.

Believes in supporting local youth through education and community engagement.

Believes his Pittsburgh upbringing taught him essential leadership qualities.

Supports increased funding for public schools, affordable higher education, and student loan debt relief.

Believes all school districts should be "fully and fairly funded."

Believes schools should be "safe, state of the art, and brimming with the best teachers."

Received the 2020 PSEA Adler Friend of Education Award.

As a state senator, advocated for resolving the UPMC/Highmark healthcare dispute to protect access to care for thousands.

Supports family values and community ties, emphasizing the importance of raising children in a stable environment.

Supports voting rights and fair elections.

Endorsed by the Pittsburgh 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club for State Senate.

Believes in the importance of voting rights and fair elections.

Believes in the phrase "Politics is the Art of the Possible," emphasizing the importance of pragmatic governance and achievable solutions.

Believes in advocating for community interests and upholding family values through public service.

Endorsed by the Young Democrats of Allegheny County.

As a state senator, led efforts to invest $100 million in youth mental health services.

Believes in creating alternatives to indefinite driver's license suspensions.

As chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, oversaw all criminal and civil law legislation, and helped pass laws to improve public safety and criminal justice.

Believes "too many lives have been lost to the epidemic of gun violence," and supports measures to address gun violence.

Earned a law degree from Duquesne University Law School.

Believes in strong public service commitment, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and volunteer work.

Believes in advocating for important local issues in Harrisburg.

Believes in the importance of community, hard work, and regional responsibility.

Supports the PAAR Ambassador of Social Change initiative.

As a state representative, helped bring funds to build parks and community centers.

Believes more progress can be made in his district, noting the transformation of the Costa Brothers Grocery into a community basketball court.

Believes in instilling values of empathy, hard work, honesty, truthfulness, and active listening in their children.

As of October 3, 2024, Jay Costa Jr’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Your state senator represents the interests of your district in the Pennsylvania State Senate. The State Senate, along with the State House of Representatives, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Pennsylvania General Assembly. 
- Your state senator can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws after going through the legislative process.
- The State Senator and their staff members respond to constituent concerns and questions through emails, phone calls, and website announcements. 
- The State Senator oversees the executive branch and can vote to overrule a veto by the Governor.   
- There are 50 Pennsylvania state senators, each representing a single district.
- Senators must be at least 25 years old, U.S. citizens, and residents of Pennsylvania for four years. They must also have lived in their district for one year before the election and must remain there throughout their term.
- State senators are elected to four-year terms and have a salary of $106,000, with a 1-3% annual increase.  