News Releases Archives - Senator Pittman

November 18, 2025

Employers, Trade Unions and Legislative Leaders: New Permitting Reforms, Stopping RGGI Will Boost PA’s Economy

Senate and House Republican leaders, along with energy industry stakeholders including trade unions and business organizations, today highlighted many positive impacts the significant new reforms to Pennsylvania’s permitting process and getting Pennsylvania out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) will have on our state’s economy in the months and years ahead. [Read More]

November 12, 2025

Senate Republican Leaders Highlight Pro-Growth Budget Passed by Senate

Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39) and Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) said the bipartisan state budget plan passed today will help grow Pennsylvania’s economy and makes key improvements to the spending plan proposed earlier this year by Gov. Josh Shapiro. [Read More]

October 22, 2025

State Senate Passes Bill to Repeal RGGI Electricity Tax

Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) today, highlighted the passage of bipartisan legislation preventing a new electricity tax by repealing Pennsylvania’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Senate Bill 1068 was approved by a vote of 33-17. [Read More]

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]

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]

October 8, 2025

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]

October 8, 2025

House Democrats Take Budget Steps Backwards

Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) issued the following statement today on the state budget: [Read More]

September 30, 2025

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]

September 10, 2025

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]

September 5, 2025

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]