Preceded by Ronald R. Cowell Name Paul Costa Siblings Jay Costa Religion Catholic Residence Wilkins Township | Spouse(s) Kathleen Gallant Costa Party Democratic Party Political party Democratic Role Pennsylvania politician | |
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Alma mater Community College of Allegheny County
Point Park College Education Point Park University, Community College of Allegheny County, Taylor Allderdice High School | ||
Paul Costa is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives representing the 34th District since 1999. He currently serves as chairman of the Subcommittee on Licensing (Liquor Control) and on Cities and Counties (Urban Affairs), as well as sitting on the Committees on Tourism & Recreational Development and on Transportation.
Biography
Costa was born to Jay Sr. (once Allegheny County treasurer) and Louise Costa. One of six children, he has brother, Jay Jr., who is also a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, serving as state senator for the 43rd district.
He graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School in 1978 in the same class as Gary Graff and Maxine Lapiduss. He then studied at Community College of Allegheny County, where he obtained an A.G.S. in 1988, and at Point Park College, earning a B.S. in Accounting in 1994.
He served on the Wilkins Township board of commissioners for three years, including one year as board president, and worked in the Allegheny County prothonotary's office for over two decades. Vice-chairman of the Wilkins Township Democratic Committee since 1992] Costa served as an alternate delegate to that year's Democratic National Convention, which nominated Bill Clinton. He is also a member of the parish council of St. Colman Catholic Church in Turtle Creek.
In October 2010, Costa was cited by Pittsburgh Police for possession of marijuana outside a Steelers game.
Costa is married to Kathleen Gallant, with whom he has three children: Michael, Maria, and Dante.