Feb
16
2021
February 16, 2021
The independent commission charged with reviewing proposed state rules and regulations today called for a one-year moratorium on the implementation of Governor Wolf’s mandate that Pennsylvania join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and questioned the Governor’s unilateral decision to join the compact without legislative approval, according to Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), Chair, and Joe Pittman (R-41), Vice Chair, of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. [Read More]
Feb
05
2021
February 05, 2021
A comprehensive $912 million relief package to help restaurants, schools, employers, and tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic received final legislative approval today (February 5) and was sent to the Governor’s desk, according to Senator Joe Pittman, the prime sponsor of the legislation. Listen [Read More]
Feb
04
2021
February 04, 2021
The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee today (February 3) approved a letter to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) formally opposing a Regulation to have Pennsylvania join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), according to Senator Joe Pittman, who serves as the committee’s Vice Chairman. [Read More]
Feb
03
2021
February 03, 2021
Senator Joe Pittman issued the following statement after Governor Tom Wolf used a pre-taped video address to unveil his proposed $40.2 billion General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22, which includes a $3.1 billion (8.2 percent) increase in state spending, a substantial Personal Income Tax rate hike from 3.07 percent to 4.49 percent (46.3 percent) and the imposition of Marcellus Shale extraction tax. [Read More]
Jan
27
2021
January 27, 2021
The Senate today (January 27) approved a comprehensive $912 million relief package to help restaurants, schools, employers, and tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Senator Joe Pittman, who serves as the prime sponsor of the legislation. [Read More]
Jan
26
2021
January 26, 2021
The Senate approved a proposed constitutional amendment on Tuesday that would limit the length of future emergency disaster declarations unless an extension is approved by the General Assembly, according to Senator Joe Pittman, who strongly supported the bill. [Read More]
Jan
13
2021
January 13, 2021
Senator Joe Pittman (R-41) was reappointed today (January 13) by Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman to serve as Chairman of the Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee for the 2021-22 Legislative Session. “I appreciate the opportunity the continue as Chairman. We are looking at a number of issues that are expected to come our […] [Read More]
Jan
05
2021
January 05, 2021
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. [Read More]
Dec
15
2020
December 15, 2020
The following is the testimony Senator Joe Pittman presented to the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Quality Board (EQB) regarding the Governor’s proposal to have Pennsylvania join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). [Read More]
Nov
30
2020
November 30, 2020
The state Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Quality Board (EQB) is now accepting public comments on the Governor’s proposal to have Pennsylvania join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), according to Senator Joe Pittman, who is urging local residents and business leaders to actively participate in the process. [Read More]
Nov
20
2020
November 20, 2020
The Senate today (November 20) gave final approval to a supplemental spending bill — completing the state budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21 — and sent the measure to the Governor’s desk, according to Senator Joe Pittman. [Read More]
Nov
16
2020
November 16, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic brought many dramatic changes to our lives as we’ve worked together to curb the spread of the deadly virus. Our normal routines are no longer normal and many of the events that shape and enrich our lives have been altered, or put on hold, as we wait for scientists and medical professionals to finally develop a vaccine that will end this sad chapter of our lives. [Read More]