Recent News
E-news Updates – September 12, 2025
In this Update: State Budget Progress Ox Hill Fair – Youth Livestock Sale Violence Has No Place Protecting Animals from Painful Experiments School Bus Bill Improves Safety for Pennsylvania Children Senate Approves Bill to Expunge COVID-Era Citations Helping Disabled Veterans Enjoy Outdoor Activities Importance of Community Pharmacies Highlighted at Briefing State Budget Progress With Democrats […] [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]
E-news Updates – September 6, 2025
In this Update: Indiana County Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues Westmoreland County Farm Bureau Legislative Tour Radio Interview with Dom Giordano Eliminating Waste and Fraud in State Government Jobs Available with PennDOTโs Winter Maintenance Program Help for Caregivers: PA CareKit Learn Skills with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps National Crime Prevention Week Indiana County Chamber […] [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]
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๐๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐
โThe horror we saw yesterday with the murder of Charlie Kirk, the recent mass violence within communities, and the targeting of individuals who offer a different political perspective is abhorrent. The epidemic of violence in all forms must be condemned.
โ24 years ago on September 11, 2001, the United States of America was attacked. The vile and cowardly actions of terrorists that day changed our world. In the days, weeks, and months following the attack, the violence which shook our nation to the core ultimately led to Americans becoming more united in our resolve to come together.
โThe past cannot be changed, but it is imperative we continue to learn from it, as we did after 9/11. Violence and hate have no place, and we must work to shape a better future in which discord is respectful. May God Bless our Nation.โ
#neverforget #charliekirk #unitedwestand

๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ
With Democrats removing transit from the budget table last week by providing funding through the method we suggested, the frequency and detail of discussions have increased and could allow for a budget agreement to be finalized within the next several days.
While I am encouraged by the meaningful work at the negotiating table, currently there is no global agreement on a budget deal, as several fiscal and policy issues remain outstanding. Reaching consensus swiftly would prevent negative impacts of a budget impasse being shouldered by #counties, school districts, hospitals and all those who rely on #StateGovernment services.
Following the conclusion of three voting session days this week, the #PASenate now remains on a 24-hour call. Session days beyond what are presently scheduled for the Fall will likely be necessary once a budget agreement is reached.

Investing in transit in a responsible manner using existing PTTF support, which wonโt divert money from the General Fund and without jeopardizing a single capital project, is what we have been unwavering advocates for over the last several months.
Had our Democrat colleagues joined us in putting people over politics by supporting and advancing House Bill 257, as passed by the Senate on August 12, this money could have been utilized three weeks sooner โ and there would have been no negative impacts to school children, seniors, and everyone who relies on transit services as part of their daily commutes.

๐๐ข๐๐๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ โ๏ธ
Congratulations to @luxenbergs Jewelers on the ribbon cutting for their new location in downtown Indiana! The new location came about due to unfortunate water damage incurred at their long-time previous location.
Luxenbergโs has been a fixture in the Borough since 1916 and offers a second location at the Indiana Mall. While ownership has changed over the years, I am certain they will continue to be a part of Indianaโs viable shopping area for many years to come. Best wishes for continued success!

๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ก
The #PASenate advanced a mass transit and #transportation infrastructure bill earlier this month, which would have prevented any of SEPTAโs cuts. The use of excess money in the Public Transportation Trust Fund (PTTF) is a responsible approach to address transportation needs across PA right now, while respecting #taxpayers and ensuring safety and accountability in transit operations.
House Democrats, whose leadership hails from the SEPTA region, immediately rejected the plan. They should reconsider. Negotiations continue as we work to reach consensus on a final budget product that puts our commonwealth on a stable spending path for future years.

๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง ๐๐๐ง๐ง๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ข๐ ๐
๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐๐งโ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ง๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐
The Western Pennsylvania Firemanโs Associationโs 132nd annual convention was recently held over 4 days in the City of New Kensington. The festivities were hosted by New Kensington Bureau of Fire, gathering numerous firemen from around the region for meetings, #tributes to past members, a #community parade and the infamous battle of the barrel competition.
I was humbled to receive the Political Award during the awards and scholarship banquet. My thanks to all the members of WPFA for bestowing me with this honor. Five local students were also awarded $1,000 scholarships.
Congratulations to New Kensington Bureau of Fire & VFD members and all the local officials who hosted a wonderful convention this year!

๐๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ง๐ง๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ข๐ ๐บ
Check out โThis Week in Pennsylvaniaโ for the latest information on the state budget & @pasenategop work to reach a final agreement on a spending plan that respects taxpayers, while allowing #Pennsylvania to grow.
๐น https://www.abc27.com/penns.../this-week-in-pennsylvania-13/

๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐
๐๐ซ๐ฆ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฎ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ
The annual legislative farm & #agribusiness tour coordinated by the Indiana County Farm Bureau was held at Wood Crest Point, a diverse farm owned by Thomas & Nathan McNutt.
I appreciated learning about the McNuttโs beef cattle & pheasant hunting operation. After the tour, we stopped by Brush Valley Community Park for discussions on a variety of issues and concerns impacting local #farmers.
My thanks to the McNuttโs for hosting the tour at their beautiful farm & to Indiana County Farm Bureau for all they do for the farming community.


