State Senator Joe Pittman took his oath of office yesterday at the Capitol in Harrisburg, and his new Senate colleagues joined him in a moment of silence for Brian Henry Swatt, the 21-year-old staff member who died last weekend in a car crash in Armstrong County.
An emotional Pittman offered a tribute to Swatt, who was hired last week after working on the senator’s campaign. “Today is a very emotional day for a lot of reasons. The 41st Senatorial District elected a team ready to fight for them. Over the weekend we lost a critical member of our team whom we loved and respected. We are shaken and hurting, but committed more than ever to fight for our District and Brian Henry Swatt will be with us every step of the way.”
With his wife holding the Bible and his four children at his side, Pittman became the 41st District senator, replacing his former boss, Senator Don White, who retired in February.
Senate president Pro Tem Joe Scarnatti and Majority Leader Jake Corman both saluted Pittman, each saying that his experience with Senator White will enable him to take office at full stride.
“I’m confident that Senator Pittman will represent his district in the same way as his predecessor Senator Don White, with dignity, humility and good old fashioned common sense,” said Senator Scarnati. “As a result of his years of service to the district, Senator Pittman knows the issues, understands the challenges and is immensely qualified to take on this new role.”
“Because of his in-depth knowledge of state government and the district he represents, Senator Pittman will be able to hit the ground running and serve his constituents effectively,” said Senator Corman. “I’m confident he will fill the shoes of his mentor and a distinguished public official, Senator Don White, from who Joe has learned so much.”
Pittman says Job One is delivering a balanced state budget. “First and foremost is our budget. The most important thing that we as a legislature do is adopt a budget. Constitutionally, we are supposed to adopt the budget by June 30. We do have a revenue surplus. We have to be very wise in how we use it. We have to make sure that we prepare for the next ‘rainy day’ that will inevitably occur.”
The new senator says the state’s residents need to be free to live their lives without government interference. “We have to promote policies that encourage economic growth and development. We have to cut regulations. People are tired of the government putting its nose in their business. We must work on regulatory reform. We have to make sure this budget is something that makes sense and give the taxpayers what they expect out of their state government.”
Pittman is a Hillsdale native and a graduate of Purchase Line High School and Penn State. He served as Senator White’s chief of staff throughout the senator’s 18-year tenure in Harrisburg. He 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.
