Oct. 21, 2020 /
HARRISBURG – The House on Tuesday voted on concurrence legislation by Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) to reform and secure Pennsylvania’s pension systems. House Bill 1961 now goes to the governor for his signature.
Sep. 15, 2020 /
HARRISBURG – Efforts to reform and secure Pennsylvania’s pension system moved forward today when the House unanimously approved three bills by State Government Chairman Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming/Union) and Reps. Dawn Keefer (R-York/Cumberland) and Lou Schmitt (R-Blair).
Jun. 10, 2020 /
HARRISBURG –Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) earlier today announced his retirement from public service. In response, Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) issued the following statement:
May. 20, 2020 /
HARRISBURG – Police officers would be afforded further protection from assault under legislation approved by the House today. The bill, authored by Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair), would make it a criminal offense for an officer to be assaulted with bodily fluids, such as spit. It would also provide a stricter penalty for people who have an infectious disease and are convicted of assaulting an officer with bodily fluids.
May. 06, 2020 /
ALTOONA – Blair County has continually had lower numbers of COVID-19 cases compared to other counties that have been allowed to begin the reopening process. However, Blair County was not included in the first round of counties that are permitted to reopen on Friday. In response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s choice to keep Blair County businesses closed and workers at home, Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) appealed to the governor urging him to reconsider his decision.
May. 04, 2020 /
HARRISBURG – The House Judiciary Committee today approved legislation by Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) to protect police officers from being assaulted with bodily fluids, such as spit. The bill also carries a heavier penalty for people who have an infectious disease and are convicted of assaulting an officer with bodily fluids.
May. 01, 2020 /
ALTOONA – Earlier today, Gov. Tom Wolf announced 24 counties will begin to reopen starting May 8. In response to Blair County not among the counties, Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) issued the following statement:
Apr. 23, 2020 /
ALTOONA – In response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to slowly reopen Pennsylvania, Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) issued the following statement:
Mar. 17, 2020 /
ALTOONA – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) and Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) have canceled the informational meeting about stormwater management that was to be held on March 30.
Mar. 16, 2020 /
HARRISBURG – To help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) announced new procedures have been put in place at his district office in Altoona.
Mar. 11, 2020 /
ALTOONA – To ensure residents have up-to-date information on managing stormwater, Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) and Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) will host a program about stormwater management for property owners. The program is being held in conjunction with the Blair County Conservation District (BCCD) and the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC).
Mar. 04, 2020 /
ALTOONA – Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) and Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) announced two Blair County museums will receive $15,286 in Cultural and Historical Support grants through the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC).
Feb. 28, 2020 / Press Release
Gov. Tom Wolf recently presented his budget message to a joint session of the General Assembly. His budget proposal shows that his administration has already overspent the current budget by nearly $600 million. In spite of that profligate spending, the Governor is now seeking an additional $1.5 billion in new spending for next year’s budget. Over 80% of that new spending is for welfare benefits.
Feb. 26, 2020 /
ALTOONA – Districts in the 79th Legislative District will receive a combined $697,069 in funding to improve safety for students, Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) and Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) announced today. The funding is through Pennsylvania’s School Safety and Security Grant Program created two years ago.
Feb. 04, 2020 /
HARRISBURG – Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) joined fellow members of the House and Senators to listen to Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal. In response to the governor’s $36.6 billion 2020-21 spending proposal, a $2.05 billion increase over the enacted current budget, Schmitt issued the following statement:
Jan. 29, 2020 /
ALTOONA – Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) and Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) announced today that the Altoona Water Authority will receive a low-interest loan through the Commonwealth’s Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) for a much-needed improvement project.
Jan. 17, 2020 /
ALTOONA – Several fire companies and emergency medical service providers in the 79th Legislative District will receive funding through the Office of the State Fire Commissioner’s Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program, Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) and Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) announced.
Jan. 14, 2020 /
HARRISBURG – As part of efforts to remove outdated laws from the books, the House passed legislation by Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) to repeal an archaic 163-year-old law that is no longer relevant.
Dec. 20, 2019 /
HARRISBURG – To assist with providing young adults who were once in the justice system with educational and skills-building opportunities to better prepare them for good jobs and successful careers, Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) and Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) announced the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Development Board is the recipient of a $492,509 Youth Reentry Demonstration Project grant through the Department of Labor & Industry (L&I).
Dec. 19, 2019 / Press Release
HARRISBURG – Two state grants will fund traffic safety improvements near Altoona’s Junior and Senior High Schools, according to Senator Judy Ward (R-30) and Representative Lou Schmitt (R-79).