The state Senate’s Republican leader says he’s optimistic about reaching common ground with the governor on his proposed state budget. Joe Pittman of Indiana County addressed the Pennsylvania Press Club this week in one of his first major speeches since becoming majority leader. He says he believes his party can compromise on Governor Josh Shapiro’s funding for energy and education and also commented positively on the governor’s transportation proposal. The part of the budget Pittman says he has trouble with involves using the existing budget surplus. Pittman says the reserve funds would evaporate in five years under Shapiro’s proposals.