Senate Passes Bill to Waive Interest on Short-Term Budget Impasse Loans
Pennsylvania counties, early education programs, rape prevention and domestic violence prevention centers could pay no interest on loans from the Pennsylvania Treasury under legislation approved by the Senate today, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13). [Read More]
House Democrats Take Budget Steps Backwards
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) issued the following statement today on the state budget: [Read More]
Senate Republicans to Introduce Legislation Providing Loan Interest Forgiveness to Counties and Head Start
Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Appropriations Chair Scott Martin (R-13) announced their intention to introduce legislation forgiving the interest on loans following the announcement by State Treasurer Stacy Garrity to help Head Start providers and counties during the state budget impasse. [Read More]
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman: State Budget Progress
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) issued the following statement today on the status of the 2025-26 state budget: [Read More]
Putting the Needs of People Over Politics
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) issued the following statement regarding SEPTA and PRT seeking approval from PennDOT to use money from the Public Transportation Trust Fund: [Read More]
Senate Republican Leaders: Senate Advances Responsible Budget Bill, Transportation Funding Legislation
Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13) announced today that counties, school districts, hospitals and others would receive critical funding from the commonwealth immediately under a budget bill approved by the Senate. [Read More]
Pittman & Struzzi Announce Over $7.7 Million in State Support for Local Projects
The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) has awarded Burrell Township Sewer Authority a grant of $2,098,110 and a loan of $831,890, along with a loan of $4,829,635 to the Borough of Indiana, Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) and Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-62) announced today. [Read More]
PA Senate Leaders Issue Statement on State Budget Progress
Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13) issued the following statement today on the current status of the 2025-26 state budget. [Read More]
PA Senate Leaders Issue Statement on Pennsylvania’s Fiscal Stability
Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13) issued the following statement today in reaction to the Shapiro Administration announcement of the refinancing of approximately $1.159 billion in General Obligation refunding bonds, touting responsible financial management: [Read More]
Senator Pittman Issues Statement on Penn State Campus Closures
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) issued the following statement regarding Penn State Board of Trustees’ vote to close seven satellite campuses after the 2026-27 academic year: [Read More]
Pittman and Major Announce $430,000 in State Grants for Vandergrift Borough and East Vandergrift Borough Projects
Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) and Rep. Abby Major (R-60) announced Vandergrift Borough and East Vandergrift Borough in Westmoreland County have received state grants totaling $431,078 for infrastructure and recreational development projects. The funding was awarded through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Community and Economic Assistance Program. [Read More]
Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Review of RGGI
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) issued the following statement regarding the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s review of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) electricity tax which was enacted through executive order by the Wolf Administration in 2019. In 2023, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled Pennsylvania’s entrance into RGGI may only be achieved through legislation duly enacted by the General Assembly, not merely through rulemaking promulgated by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Environmental Quality Board (EQB). Governor Shapiro made the decision to appeal the Commonwealth Court ruling to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. [Read More]