State Senator Joe Pittman was sworn into office today (January 5) during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber of the State Capitol to begin his first full term of service as the 41st Senatorial District’s advocate during the 2021-22 Legislative Session. Video of the ceremony.
In response to the COVID pandemic, the traditional Swearing-In Day festivities were substantially scaled back this year. Only a minimal number of guests were permitted on the Senate Floor and in the Senate Gallery for the ceremony and the usual television viewing areas in the Capitol Complex were closed.
“My main goals for the new session are carry-overs from last year,” Senator Pittman said. First and foremost, I remain staunchly opposed to the Governor’s carbon tax proposal through RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative). That would devastate the lives and livelihoods of too many local families.
“Additionally, we must address the impact the pandemic and the Administration’s closure orders have had on jobs and our economy. As part of that, we need to advance the amendment to the state Constitution that would place pragmatic restrictions on the Governor’s emergency declaration powers,” Senator Pittman said. “Another priority issue must be election reform. There were too many loopholes in the system and perhaps too much influence by the Administration and the courts in the results of the past election.”
Born and raised in Hillsdale, Indiana County, by his parents John and Mary Ann (Yevchak), Senator Pittman was elected to the Senate in a May 2019 special election. A 1995 graduate of Purchase Line High School, Senator Pittman was appointed to its school board and served until his graduation from Penn State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in December 1998. Prior to joining the Senate, Senator Pittman served as Chief of Staff for former Senator Don White.
Senator Pittman is a life member of the NRA, member of the Indiana County Republican Committee, Ford City Sportsmen’s Association and the Indiana-Franklin Lodge #313.
He serves on the Purchase Line Red Dragon Foundation, which provides scholarships to Purchase Line graduates. He is a board member of the United Way of Indiana and chaired its 2018 annual campaign, helping to raise over $726,000 to benefit various community-based programs.
Senator Pittman and his wife Gina (DiMaio) have four children: Joe Jr., Sam and twin girls Rosie and Frannie. They are members of the St. Thomas More University Parish in Indiana.###
Contact: Laura Terihay lterihay@pasen.gov