Senate Sends Bill Requiring Legislative Approval of RGGI to Governor
September 09, 2020
The Senate today (September 9) approved — and sent to the Governor’s desk — legislation that would increase legislative oversight on the proposal to have Pennsylvania join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), according to Senator Joe Pittman, who spearheaded efforts in the Senate to move the bill.
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Public hearing on status of PHFA Mortgage and Rental Assistance Programs/Impact of Pandemic on Housing
September 04, 2020
Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee | September 8, 2020 |1:30 p.m. | (Senate Chamber and Remote Participation) | [Read More]
Committee Approves Bills Requiring Legislative Approval of RGGI Deal
September 03, 2020
The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee approved two bills today (September 3) that would increase legislative oversight on the Governor’s proposal to have Pennsylvania join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), according to Senator Joe Pittman, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Committee. [Read More]
Rally in Opposition to Implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)
August 26, 2020
Senator Gene Yaw, Senator Camera Bartolotta, Senator Joe Pittman, Senator Kim Ward | 11:30 at Cheswick Generating Station, Springdale, Allegheny County [Read More]
Senate Approves Measure to End Governor Wolf’s Business Shutdown Order
June 09, 2020
Stressing that Governor Wolf’s extended lockdown of Pennsylvania is hurting families and doing irreparable harm to employers, the Senate today voted to approve a measure that would end the statewide shutdown, according to Senator Joe Pittman.
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Meeting to consider SB 940, SB 1045, HB 896, and HB 1860
June 09, 2020
Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee | June 9, 2020 (approx. 2:00 p.m.) | Off the Floor (Senate Chamber and Virtual Participation) | [Read More]
Senate Approves $507 Million Support Package for First Responders, Nursing Homes, Long-term Care Facilities
May 12, 2020
When Senator Joe Pittman introduced Senate Bill 1122, the measure was intended to provide financial relief to Pennsylvania’s struggling volunteer fire companies and EMS stations.
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Telemedicine Bill Sent to Governor
April 21, 2020
As Pennsylvania continues to cope with the impact of COVID-19, the Senate today (April 21) gave final approval to a bill that promotes telemedicine as a way to overcome barriers to quality patient care created by distance and reduce the costs of those services, according to Senator Joe Pittman.
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Committee Approves Grant Program for Volunteer Fire/EMS Companies
April 20, 2020
The Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee today (April 20) reported out legislation introduced by Senator Joe Pittman (R-41st) and Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46th) that would establish a special one-time grant program for Pennsylvania’s volunteer fire companies and EMS squads as they address the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: Professional Liability Joint Underwriting Association
March 04, 2020
I asked about the amount of surplus money the PA Joint Underwriting Association has in reserves that could safely be appropriated to other causes during a #PASenate #PAbudget hearing.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: DEP (Part 2)
March 04, 2020
The Wolf administration’s proposed carbon tax is already hurting local operations and workers. I questioned DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell about what the administration plans to do for dislocated workers.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: DEP (Part 1)
March 04, 2020
At the Senate budget hearing with the Department of Transportation, I questioned Secretary Patrick McDonnell about the governor’s proposed Transportation Climate Initiative and the increase in gas prices it’s likely to cause, and the local impact of the administration’s plan to impose a carbon tax.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: Penn College/Thaddeus Stevens College/Community Colleges
March 03, 2020
I discussed the value of articulation agreements at a #PASenate #PAbudget hearing with @PennCollege, @thaddeusstevens and @NorthamptonComm.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: Conservation & Natural Resources
March 03, 2020
At the Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearing with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, I asked Secretary Cindy Dunn for a justification of the state moratorium on oil and gas leases on state park land, especially given the drop in Oil and Gas Lease Fund revenue.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: State-Related Universities
March 03, 2020
I raised concern about the competition between state system and state-related universities and asked whether satellite colleges should be realigned to reduce costs at a #PASenate #PABudget hearing.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: Penn State Ag Research & Ag Extension
March 02, 2020
During the #PASenate #PA Budget on Penn State’s @agsciences & @psuextension I urged the agency to take an active role in promoting participation in the census.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: Agriculture
March 02, 2020
During the #PASenate #PABudget hearing with @PAAgriculture, I raised concerns about the USDA’s Farm Service Agency and the proposed transfers from the Race Horse Development Fund.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: Human Services
February 26, 2020
At the PA Senate budget hearing with the Human Services Department, I questioned Secretary Teresa Miller about the increase in Medical Assistance Transportation Program costs and how to prevent abuse of this assistance.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: PennDOT
February 25, 2020
At the PA Senate budget hearing with PennDOT officials, I questioned Acting Secretary Yassmin Gramian about plans to shift funding from local roads to interstate highways, as well as my legislation to reduce transfers occurring from the Motor License Fund to fund operations of our State Police.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: LCB
February 25, 2020
During a #PASenate #PABudget hearing with the PA Liquor Control Board, I asked about the number of state stores that operate on limited hours and whether LCB would reevaluate the merit of expanding hours.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: Aging
February 24, 2020
During a #PASenate #PABudget hearing with the Department of Aging, I raised concerns about the growth in costs for senior programs and the Department’s reliance on the Lottery Fund. [Read More]
Budget Hearing Q&A: Auditor General
February 24, 2020
During the #PASenate #PABudget hearing with @PAAuditorGen, I asked about the Governor’s proposed fee for state police service and the Auditor General’s public advocacy of the legalization of marijuana. [Read More]
Budget Hearing Q&A: Department of State
February 20, 2020
During the #PASenate #PABudget hearing with @PAStateDept, I raised concerns about state licensing issues and asked about public education efforts for the election changes under Act 77.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: State System of Higher Education
February 20, 2020
I asked the @StateSystem Chancellor what Pennsylvania is doing to “right-size” its higher education footprint so that there are not too many schools straining the system. #PASenate #PABudget
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Budget Hearing Q&A: Board of Pardons
February 19, 2020
During the budget hearing with the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, I highlighted the disadvantages of Board members expressing personal opinions on controversial criminal justice topics.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: Corrections/Probation & Parole
February 19, 2020
At the Senate Appropriations budget hearing with the Board of Probation & Parole, I asked Board Chairman Theodore Johnson if the state Victim Advocate should be a licensed attorney to represent victims before the panel.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: Military & Veterans Affairs
February 19, 2020
During today’s #PASenate #PABudget hearing, I raised concerns with @PADMVA about providing care for homeless veterans and urged support for my legislation to provide property tax exemptions for more veterans in need.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: Drug & Alcohol Programs
February 18, 2020
During the #PASenate #PABudget hearing with @PADrugAlcohol, I asked about the effectiveness of faith-based recovery programs, state support for local EMS programs
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Budget Hearing Q&A: Revenue/Lottery
February 18, 2020
During the #PASenate #PABudget hearing with @PARevenue and @PALottery, I questioned the impact of the Governor’s proposed carbon taxes and precautions to ensure Lottery technology upgrades are completed efficiently.
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Budget Hearing Q&A: Independent Fiscal Office
February 18, 2020
The PA Independent Fiscal Office noted that due to natural gas development, the PA economy is less reliant on oil prices. During the PA Senate budget hearing, I asked about the impact administration proposals on this new independence.
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Sen. Pittman Urges Governor to Seek Federal Clean Coal Technology Grants
February 18, 2020
The federal government is offering millions of dollars to promote the development of innovative cleaner coal technologies and Senator Joe Pittman wants Pennsylvania to aggressively go after that funding. [Read More]
Senator Pittman Responds to Governor’ Budget Proposal
February 04, 2020
Senator Joe Pittman issued the following statement following today’s joint session of the General Assembly to receive the Governor’s 2020-21 budget proposal.
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Bill Would Ensure Disabled Veterans Receive Property Tax Exemptions
January 16, 2020
Recognizing the sacrifices made by Pennsylvania’s disabled veterans, Senator Joe Pittman (R-41) is drafting legislation to ensure they receive the state property tax exemption they deserve.
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Senators Unveil RGGI, Carbon Tax Legislation
November 19, 2019
Senators Joe Pittman (R-41), Gene Yaw (R-23) and David G. Argall (R-29) and other legislators today (November 19) unveiled and discussed bills that will be introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives addressing Governor Wolf’s proposal to have Pennsylvania enter into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
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Governor’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Plan
November 19, 2019
Remarks of Senator Joe Pittman at a Senate Republican news conference to unveil and discuss bills that will be introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives addressing Governor Wolf’s proposal to have Pennsylvania enter into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and impose a Carbon Tax.
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Senator Pittman to Unveil RGGI Legislation on Tuesday
November 18, 2019
Senators Joe Pittman, Gene Yaw and David G. Argall and other legislators will host a press conference at Noon on Tuesday, November 19, in the Media Center of the State Capitol East Wing. |
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Pittman Legislation Stresses Funding for Transportation Improvements
August 12, 2019
Senator Joe Pittman will soon introduce legislation to reduce the amount of funding diverted each year from essential transportation improvement projects to support State Police operations.
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Senator Pittman Supports Passage of FY 2019-20 State Budget
June 27, 2019
The Senate today approved a Fiscal Year 2019-20 spending plan that includes no tax increases, makes a substantial investment in the state Rainy Day Fund, and provides more money for road and bridge improvements, according to Senator Joe Pittman.
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VIDEO: Senate Republicans: Funding What Works
June 27, 2019
Stressing that Senate Republicans support a strong safety net of programs and services to help Pennsylvanians in need, Senator Joe Pittman discussed specific funding in this year’s budget that will help the truly needy while using tax dollars wisely.
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Senate Republicans – Funding What Works
June 27, 2019
Senate Republicans – Funding What Works [Read More]
Senator Pittman Appointed to PENNVEST Board
June 18, 2019
During his long tenure as Senator Don White’s Chief of Staff, Joe Pittman received extensive experience in working to secure PENNVEST financing for numerous vital water and sewer projects across the 41st Senatorial District.
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Senator Pittman to Serve on Senate Appropriations Committee
June 13, 2019
With the deadline to adopt a state budget quickly approaching, Senator Joe Pittman will now have a seat on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee that will play a key role in approving the spending plan.
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Senate Adopts Condolence Resolution for Brian Henry Swatt
June 12, 2019
The Senate today unanimously adopted a Condolence Resolution for Brian Henry Swatt, who served as a field representative in Senator Joe Pittman’s Indiana District Office, Indiana County. [Read More]
Senator Joe Pittman Takes Oath of Office
June 10, 2019
Even as State Senator Joe Pittman was formally sworn into office today (June 10) during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg, the celebration was subdued as he mourned the passing of a member of his staff who died in a tragic traffic accident on Friday (June 7). [Read More]
Legislative Priorities
June 10, 2019
Senator Pittman discusses his legislative priorities as he begins his term representing the 41st Senate District. [Read More]
Death of Brian Swatt
June 10, 2019
Senator Pittman comments on the death of Brian Swatt, a member of his staff who was killed in a car accident in Armstrong County over the weekend.
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Senator-elect Pittman Takes Oath of Office on June 10
June 06, 2019
State Senator-elect Joe Pittman will formally be sworn into office during a ceremony set for 1 p.m., Monday, June 10, in the Senate Chamber of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg.
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