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Senate Approves State Budget that Funds Essential Services Without Raising Taxes
October 21, 2025

Senate Approves State Budget that Funds Essential Services Without Raising Taxes

For the second time this year, Senate Republicans approved a state budget that respects taxpayers and protects the financial stability of our commonwealth while ensuring that counties, school districts, and other state government partners receive needed funding, said 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]

Statement on the Tragic Incident on Philadelphia Street in Indiana
October 21, 2025

Statement on the Tragic Incident on Philadelphia Street in Indiana

Senator Joe Pittman (R-41) has issued the following statement regarding the fatal accident on Philadelphia Street in Indiana, involving an Indigo bus and two pedestrians.  [Read More]

E-news Updates – October 18, 2025
October 18, 2025

E-news Updates – October 18, 2025

In this Update: Speaking at the PPA Fall Energy Conference West Mahoning Township, Indiana County Bill Targeting Catalytic Converter Thefts Passed by Senate Senate Votes to Expand College Aid for Foster Children Open Government: Tracking How Your Tax Dollars are Spent Give Your Feedback on PennDOT Construction, Maintenance Services Expanding Coverage of Breast Cancer Screenings  […]  [Read More]

E-news Updates – October 11, 2025
October 11, 2025

E-news Updates – October 11, 2025

In this Update: Standing Up for PA Taxpayers Eagle Scout Ceremony  Lower Burrell VFC โ€“ Annual Banquet  Senate Acts to Waive Interest on Short-Term Budget Impasse Loans  Measure to Support Mental Health Services with Specialty License Plate Approved by Senate Ensuring U.S. and Pennsylvania Flags Are Made in America  Examining the Use of AI in […]  [Read More]

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HARRISBURG โ€“ Senator Joe Pittman (R-41) issued the following statement on the state budget:

โ€œIn July, when House Democrats came to the realization that Governor Shapiroโ€™s $51.5 billion budget proposal for 2025-26 spent too much money, they sent the Senate a $50.6 billion version that was not agreed-to. Today, they sent yet another unagreed-to budget to the Senate, this one spending $50.25 billion. After months without a state budget, the latest act by the House has taken steps backwards, not forwards. With the state budget being due 100 days ago, it is long past time for Democrats to stop their games and to complete a responsible budget that doesnโ€™t seek to spend billions more than we can afford by using one-time dollars.

โ€œPennsylvanians deserve a functioning government which respects hardworking taxpayers. What Democrats continuously fail to realize is that divided government requires true compromise. This means a final budget agreement cannot simply be a checkbook for their reckless spending but must be a reasonable plan, which also includes Republican policies to support families and foster greater #economicgrowth for #Pennsylvania. Ten years ago, the state budget spent just over $30 billion. The substantial budgetary increase over the last decade makes it clear that we must control the growth of our expenditures to prevent a fiscal calamity in the coming years.

โ€œUntil Democrats are willing to come to the table with a unified voice and a respect for the differences we have, we will remain at an impasse. The most prudent action for the House to take would be to immediately pass last yearโ€™s budget as the Senate did back on August 12, to get money flowing today. The only reason anyone who relies on government services and support is feeling negative impacts from the impasse is because of the Democratsโ€™ unwillingness to put people above #politics.โ€

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Eight weeks ago on August 12, @pasenategop advanced a spending plan that would fund #Pennsylvania state programs and services at the previous yearโ€™s levels while 2025-26 budget negotiations continue.

House Democrats could have passed that bill any time during the past two months. In fact, they could still pass it today and join with us to help those feeling negative impacts from this prolonged budget impasse. 

Divided government brings differing perspectives. But no matter what our disagreements may be on spending, taxes, and public policy, we should all be able to agree that our most vulnerable citizens who rely on #government services shouldnโ€™t have to suffer.

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๐ŸŽ™๏ธ ๐ˆ๐ง๐๐ข๐š๐ง๐š ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐Œ๐จ๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐  

Thank you to Todd Marino for inviting me to join him on @wccsnewstalk โ€˜Indiana in the Morningโ€™ program on Friday. 

I appreciated the opportunity to stop by the studio to discuss several key issues impacting our commonwealth, including #energyadvancement, the 2025-26 state budget, #economicdevelopment, and the future fiscal stability of #Pennsylvania.

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It was great to sit down with the @pachamber in my Harrisburg office earlier this week to discuss the significance of permitting reform in Pennsylvania. We recognize the trajectory of this Commonwealth is such that we need #EconomicOpportunity, and the only way we have economic opportunity is if we get more shovels in the ground. #permitting reform still means responsible projects, protecting the environment, making sure the projects are done safely and properly - but also promptly. 

There is certainly a lot more to do, but the reforms we have worked to implement already, signal that #Pennsylvania is open for business and that we're prepared to embrace new development and new economic opportunity. Senate Republicans know this is a critical part of #JobCreation and helping to increase access to family sustaining jobs.

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Meet Joe Pittman

I have called Indiana County home all my life and live there with my wife, Gina (DiMaio), and our four children: Joe Jr., Sam, Rosie and Frannie. I am thankful to my parents, John and Mary Ann (Yevchak), for instilling in me the values of God, family and country, and teaching me the importance of community service. It is an honor to serve the 41st Senatorial District and Iโ€™m proud to work with my colleagues to strengthen our commonwealth by protecting jobs, empowering families and defending our freedoms.
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