Recent News
E-news Updates – July 18, 2026
In this Update: New State Budget Protects Taxpayers and Funds Priorities PCN Budget Interview โ On the Issues Urgent Action Needed to Keep PA Communities Safe PennDOT Required to Release Funds for Local Road Projects Cost of Living Adjustment for Retired Teachers, Police and Firefighters Protecting Pets from Excessive Heat Camping Reservations Available at State […] [Read More]
Pittman, Struzzi, Cooper, Major and Bashline Announce $6.75 Million in Area Community Improvement Grants
Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41), and Reps. Jim Struzzi (R-62), Jill Cooper (R-55), Abby Major (R-60) and Josh Bashline (R-63) announced $6.75 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants for five community projects in Armstrong, Indiana and Westmoreland counties. [Read More]
PA Senate Approves Fiscally Responsible State Budget
The Senate approved a fiscally responsible state budget today that stands up for taxpayers, doesnโt raise taxes on Pennsylvania families and supports affordability and job growth, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13). [Read More]
E-news Updates – July 11, 2026
In this Update: Celebrating the USA Reciting the Declaration of Independence Senate Passes Bill to Bring Life-saving Treatments to Market More Quickly Strengthening Medical Imaging Standards Empowering Patients to Make Care Decisions PA Trooperโs Death Highlights Urgent Need to Improve CDL Oversight Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Extended to Dec. 31 State Police Cadet Selection Open […] [Read More]
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๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐
๐๐ซ๐ฆ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฎ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ
I had a wonderful time visiting the Indiana County Farm Bureauโs โHay Thereโ Summer event on Saturday with great activities, picnic food, raffles, and a few rides for folks to take part in. It was a pleasure chatting with students from Marion Center & Penns Manor #FFA programs, as well as with farm bureau members, Ed Rising and Ray Sleppy.
Always such a privilege to spend time with our local #agriculture community!
๐๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ โ ๐๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐ฌ
It was great to sit down with Francine Schertzer from @pennsylvaniacablenetwork(PCN) to talk about the completed 2026-27 state budget in an โOn the Issuesโ Interview. Iโm proud of our work to stand up for Pennsylvania taxpayers and families.
๐จ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ง๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ข๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐จ
Nearly 1,200 people convicted of second-degree murder in Pennsylvania could be released if House Democrats donโt take action by July 24. The #PASenate passed bipartisan legislation twice to address this issue - legislation supported by the Attorney General & DAs.
Urgent action is needed because in March, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Commonwealth v. Lee ruled that the sentencing scheme for second degree murder in our Commonwealth is unconstitutional. The Court imposed a 120-day stay in order to provide the General Assembly with an opportunity to enact remedial legislation.
The safety of our communities is of paramount importance to @pasenategop. It`s time for House Democrats join us in taking needed action now!
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๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ก ๐
Good News! Pennsylvania now has a 2026-27 State Budget in place.
When Governor Shapiro first presented his budget plan in February, Senate Republicans raised serious concerns about the problems it would create for taxpayers and our commonwealthโs future.
Over the past several months, we have worked extremely hard to create a responsible spending plan that protects taxpayers, prevents new tax hikes, safeguards our financial future, and breaks down barriers to economic growth.
๐ข ๐๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฌ ๐
๐ข๐ฌ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ญ ๐ข
The Senate approved a fiscally responsible state budget today that stands up for taxpayers, doesnโt raise taxes on Pennsylvania families and supports affordability and job growth.
Gov. Josh Shapiro originally proposed a budget that would have increased spending by $2.7 billion (5.4% increase) and taken approximately $4.6 billion from the stateโs emergency reserves in the Rainy Day Fund. His plan would have required massive tax increases as soon as next year.
The final agreement negotiated by PA Senate Republicans cut more than $1.1 billion from the governorโs spending request and will not require any withdrawals from the Rainy Day Fund, setting the state on a more sustainable path and avoiding potential bond downgrades and higher debt costs.
๐๐๐ง๐ง๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐จ๐ ๐
๐ซ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฆ
Thank you to my friend and colleague @senatormastriano for presenting me with the #Pennsylvania Medal of Freedom.
Iโm proud of the work of our entire Pennsylvania Senate Republican Caucus. Together we fight every day to uphold #freedom, respect taxpayers, strengthen our #communities, and protect families throughout the Commonwealth.
๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ซ ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐๐ฅ ๐. ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐๐ซ.
Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41), Senate Transportation Committee Chair Judy Ward (R-30) and Senate Majority Policy Committee Chair David Argall (R-29) issued the following statement today:
โLast week, Pennsylvania suffered a heartbreaking tragedy. Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael E. Pahira Jr. was killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop involving a truck driver who was in the country illegally. Trooper Pahira represented the very best of our Commonwealth, dedicating his life to serving his family, his community, and the people of Pennsylvania.
โWe remain committed to the safety of our law enforcement officers and every Pennsylvanian. That is why we must strengthen our laws and oversight governing non-domiciled Commercial Driverโs Licenses to enhance commercial vehicle safety and help protect lives across our Commonwealth.
โAs Pennsylvania mourns the loss of Trooper Michael Pahira, we lift up his family, friends, and fellow law enforcement officers in our prayers and honor his faithful service and sacrifice.โ
๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ง ๐
๐ซ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฆ ๐บ๐ธ
Happy 4th of July! 250 years ago โ on July 4, 1776 โ our nationโs founders gathered in Philadelphia and signed the Declaration of Independence. President Abraham Lincoln once described the Declaration as โan apple of goldโ and said it gave โliberty, not alone to the people of this country, but hope to the world for all future time.โ
Earlier this year, the Senate visited Independence Hall in Philadelphia and convened for a ceremonial celebration at the National Constitution Center to honor Americaโs 250th birthday. As we gather in our communities to celebrate Independence Day this year, and to mark our nationโs semi quincentennial, may we all take time to reflect on the many blessings of being Americans and living in the United States.
