Recent News
Budget Hearing Q&A: Selected SSHE Universities
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman questions the university presidents during the Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearing for East Stroudsburg University, Indiana University of PA, Millersville University and West Chester University. [Read More]
Budget Hearing Q&A: PUC
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman questions PUC Chairman Stephen DeFrank during the Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearing for the PA Public Utility Commission. [Read More]
Budget Hearing Q&A: Transportation, Part 4
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman questions Secretary Michael Carroll during the Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearing for the Department of Transportation (PennDOT). [Read More]
Budget Hearing Q&A: Transportation (Part 3)
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman questions Secretary Michael Carroll during the Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearing for the Department of Transportation (PennDOT). [Read More]
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๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ
On my way home from Harrisburg, it was great to stop by Saint Nicholas Catholic School. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the students discussing the importance of Catholic #education.
We had good conversations about different aspects of #stategovernment, including becoming an elected official, along with various career and life paths. Thank you for having me!
๐๐๐ง๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง
PA Senate Republicans know #Pennsylvania being a leader in energy production is key to #energy independence and national security. Pennsylvanians have no doubt been forced to deal with the realities and pressures of higher energy costs, which cannot stand. A strong, reliable, and cost-effective energy portfolio across our Commonwealth requires embracing an all-encompassing strategy when it comes to the generation and distribution of power.
During the PA Public Utility Commission budget hearing we took a closer look at the negative impacts of Gov. Shapiroโs energy policies. The PUC oversees more than 8,000 entities which provide utility services across the state. My colleagues and I raised concerns about Gov. Shapiroโs approach to energy leading to higher costs for Pennsylvania consumers, while subsidizing lower energy prices in other states in the region.
PUC Commissioners testified that #electricity generation is lagging well behind demand and more energy production for the grid is desperately needed.
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๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ ๐จ๐ง๐ข๐๐ซ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ
I was thrilled to visit Fort Ligonier, a historic landmark in Westmoreland County. The gracious staff provided a brief overview of their #history and shared information on the new exhibit on the Friendly Fire Incident of 1758 โ a pivotal moment in young #GeorgeWashingtonโs #military career.
The Fort has an exceptional art collection which features original works from the 18th and 19th centuries. It is an incredible asset which gives a wonderful glimpse into the important role our region played in history. My thanks to Director Mary Manges and the dedicated staff for preserving this vibrant piece of our nationโs heritage.
I highly recommend a visit!
๐๐๐ง๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
The second week of #Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Committee Budget Hearings began today with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
During the questioning of PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll, serious concerns were raised about the questionable management of public transit and infrastructure projects, as well as on the growth of funding held in certain accounts and the lack of transparency surrounding how those dollars are being spent.
Before asking #taxpayers for more of their tax dollars to be allocated to PennDOT, we need to have a clear accounting of how these billions of dollars are used.
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๐๐๐ซ๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ง๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ก
I enjoyed visiting Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center for a tour and conversation with teachers, students, and administrators, about the 13 programs available to #students! The educational opportunities NWCTC offers are quite impressive and relevant to the needs of the #workforce in our region.
Career and Technical Education Programs play a critical role in preparing students for high-demand careers by combining academic knowledge with practical hands-on experience, industry credentials, and #realworldskills, which are so important for workforce readiness. It was wonderful to see so much passion for learning while at NWCTC. Thank you for such an informative tour!
๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ง๐ง๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ข๐
Our region has a long and storied history when it comes to the production of electricity that has powered not only #Pennsylvania, but the entire nation. Over the last several decades we have no doubt seen production of #electricity in our region undergo a significant transition, which has had a substantial impact upon our local communities, labor employees, and their families.
The former Homer City Generating Station site right here in Indiana County is set to become the largest gas-fired power plant and AI data center in the nation. It was great to sit down with Valory Myers from @wjac_tv recently to discuss the Homer City Energy Campus and #EconomicGrowth!
๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ซ๐จ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ ๐จ๐ง๐ข๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ ๐
I recently had the pleasure of visiting with students in AP Government and Social Studies classes at Ligonier Valley School District High School. We had good conversations about different aspects of #stategovernment, including becoming an elected official, educational opportunities, and various career paths.
The students had thoughtful questions on #currentaffairs and a variety of issues facing #Pennsylvania. Thank you to, Mr. Brian Blasko, for inviting me to visit his classroom โ I enjoyed the time and dialogue shared.
๐๐ญ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐จโ๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ ๐
Governor Shapiro simply wants to spend too much money in the 2026-27 state budget. Enacting his proposed 5.4% spending increase would take more money away from #Pennsylvania families in future years, when many are still struggling due to the affordability crisis caused by Biden-era inflation.
@pasenategop will keep standing up for Pennsylvania #taxpayers and #families.

