In Pennsylvania, legislative officials are allowed to accept gifts from lobbyists so long as they disclose amounts greater than $250 and any travel, meals or lodging over $650 to the state Ethics Commission.
Sally Simpson, a member of March On Harrisburg, which has advocated for a gift ban for the past decade, said gifting, though not illegal, sways how officials vote on policy, making them more likely to side with corporate wishes than constituents’ concerns.
“They say it doesn’t affect their vote; it’s obvious it affects their vote,” Simpson said.
Simpson, joined by fellow March On Harrisburg member Cari Chivara, protested outside of Sen. Joe Pittman’s New Kensington office Friday. They were joined by Christian Animal Rights Association members Matt King, Nina King and Samuel Cowley.
The group protested gifting to elected officials — which they alleged Pittman, R-Indiana, benefits from — and also a state legislative change that allowed the Professional Bull Riders to host the rodeo in Pittsburgh, despite a city code banning the use of tools used to control animals, including spurs and electric prods.
King said he believes Pittman was involved in closed-door discussions that added a provision to the 2024 state budget that circumvented Pittsburgh’s rodeo code.
“Pennsylvania is one of the three states in the country that has no legislation against gifts,” King said. “You can give any amount of money you want to a politician to get what you want done, but regular taxpayers don’t have a voice. We’re being drowned out by corporate welfare and corporate gifts.”
King alleged also that Pittman benefited financially from lobbying firm Allegheny Strategy Partners, which has been affiliated with Professional Bull Riders since 2023, according to Pennsylvania Department of State records.
“It’s just such an undemocratic process,” King said.
Pittman did not respond to a request for comment left with his office Friday.
Allegheny Strategy Partners also did not respond to a request for comment Friday.
Simpson said she, Chivara and another member of March On Harrisburg have talked previously with Pittman about gift ban legislation, but the senator will no longer take their meetings.
She said the organization is supportive of House Bill 1081 and Senate Bill 97 to pass, both of which call for gift bans.
In 2019 and 2021, gift bans cleared the House State Government Committee, but none have passed the General Assembly.
“(Pittman) said that it was out of his hands,” Chivara said. “I told him that he does make the rules, he’s the Senate majority leader, and if he wanted to bring this up for a vote, he could. But he chooses not to.”