Newsroom
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.
Senate Democrats Introduce Legislation to Protect Health Care for Pennsylvanians
Harrisburg – December 20, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus continues its fight to protect the major tenets of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) through two legislative proposals that would ensure comprehensive, quality and affordable...
Western PA Senators Announce Funding For Affordable Housing
Pittsburgh, Pa. – December 14, 2018 – Today, Senators Jay Costa, Wayne D. Fontana and Senator-elect Lindsey Williams announced $2.2 million in state grant funding to promote affordable housing in Western Pennsylvania. “While the city has seen a surge of...
Senate Democratic Policy Committee – Climate Change in PA
Fontana Re-elected to Serve as Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman
Harrisburg, November 14, 2018 – State Senate Democrats today unanimously re-elected state Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) to serve as Democratic Caucus chairman for the upcoming two-year legislative session. The caucus chairman sets the daily caucus agenda and...
Fontana Announces Funding for Six Area Recreational/Environmental Grant Projects
HARRISBURG, November 14, 2018 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced state grants totaling $952,500 for six local environmental/recreational projects. “I’m pleased that these state dollars will support local efforts to enhance parks and other recreational...
Fontana Announces $300,000 Clean Energy Grant for Local Business
BROOKLINE, November 8, 2018 – Senator Wayne D. Fontana today announced a $300,000 state grant for Giant Eagle, Inc. to buy 20 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, saving more than 355,000 gasoline gallon equivalents per year. “This grant program helps businesses...
Sen. Fontana Condemns Neo-Nazi Propaganda in Brookline
BROOKLINE, November 7, 2018 – Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Pittsburgh) today condemned those who have been posting hate propaganda in the Brookline community. The senator made the following statement: “Posting messages that advocate hatred and violence in our community...
Senator Fontana Announces $300,000 in School Safety and Security Grants
Harrisburg, PA - October 2018 - Sen. Wayne Fontana (D- Allegheny County) is pleased to announce that $300,000 in School Safety and Security grants were awarded to school districts in the senatorial district through the School Safety and Security Committee within...
Gun Violence on Our Doorstep: Hatred and Gun Violence Have No Place Here
I write today with a heavy heart. Far too many times, we have all watched in horror as mass shootings play out across our nation. That nightmare has now come to pass in our own backyard. To our friends and neighbors in Squirrel Hill, we admire your spirit, strength...
Fontana Lauds Senate Vote on Economic Revitalization Program Expansion
HARRISBURG, October 17, 2018 – Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Pittsburgh) today lauded Senate passage of a bill (House Bill 645) that would double the state’s tax credit program aimed at encouraging businesses to invest in community revitalization efforts. Fontana...
Senators Fontana, Costa and Vulakovich Announce Water Line Replacement Dollars
HARRISBURG, October 17, 2018 – State Senators Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny), Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny) today announced $49 million in state funds to replace 28,000 residential lead lateral connections in Pittsburgh. “I am pleased that...
It’s time to Stand up for the Sex Abuse Victims
Op-Ed Column by State Senator Wayne Fontana I was raised Catholic and spent all 12 years of schooling in Catholic schools. As an adult, I was married in the Catholic Church, raised my children in the faith and sent them to Catholic school. I still firmly believe in...
Senator Fontana Receives Dewey Award for Environmental Work
PITTSBURGH, September 27, 2018 – Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Pittsburgh) today received the Clean Water Action organization’s “Dewey Award.” The award is granted to individuals who are proven champions of the environment within their community. “Throughout my...
Sen. Fontana Remarks Improve Community Policing
Fontana Supports Legislation to Provide Justice for Child Abuse Victims
HARRISBURG, September 24, 2018 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) today urged his legislative colleagues to pass legislation that would expand the state’s statute of limitations, enabling more child sexual abuse victims to seek justice. “Considering the harrowing...
Fontana Supports Call for Opening Window to Allow Child Abuse Victims to Seek Justice
Pittsburgh – September 18, 2018 – At a news conference today at the City-County Building in Pittsburgh, State Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) supported the call to open a 2-year window to allow victims of child abuse by priests to file civil actions against abusers...
Fontana Announces $2 Million in Grants Approved for Small Water and Sewer Projects, Recreation
Harrisburg – September 18, 2018 – More than $2 million in state grants were approved by a state funding authority for nine projects in his district in Pittsburgh and suburban communities in Allegheny County, state Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) said today. ...
Sen. Fontana Announces $15.75 Million in Redevelopment Assistance
PITTSBURGH, PA − September 5, 2018 − Senator Wayne D. Fontana is pleased to announce today that redevelopment projects within Allegheny County have received a combined total of $15.75 million through the state administered Redevelopment Assistance Capital (RACP)...
Senators Costa & Fontana Congratulate Pittsburgh School District on $1.6 Million State Education Grant
Pittsburgh, Pa. − August 27, 2018 − Senators Jay Costa, Jr. and Wayne D. Fontana jointly congratulated the Pittsburgh School District on the award of $1.6 million from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to support school improvement. “I want to...