County Executive Steve Neuhaus and I have been working to keep our communities safe during the coronavirus outbreak. I will continue to be your dedicated state partner on this issue Steve Neuhaus.

Working together we will overcome this outbreak and end it.

Speaking at the 21st Annual Construction Career Day Press Conference supporting a career in trades for area high school students and our local labor unions.

Great meeting of my Animal Advisory Council this morning. Got to meet 6 1/2 week old bunny, Chubs!

The News of the Highlands:
Schmitt stopped by the Senior Center, with cookies

Since yesterday, I have been in communication with Governor’s office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, state and local government officials and emergency personnel regarding the state’s plan to recall study abroad students from nations impacted by the coronavirus. Specifically, area residents are concerned about the Governor’s announcement that these students may be transported through Stewart Airport. As more details become available, I will work to make sure that our communities are kept informed and that our local officials and first responders have a voice in this process. As always, my focus will be the safety and wellbeing of area residents.

ASSEMBLYMAN SCHMITT LEADS EFFORTS FOR INCREASED LOCAL ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

This week Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt (R,C,I-New Windsor) joined with local Highway Superintendents to advocate for increased critical funding for road repair, pothole correction and other local infrastructure needs.

Schmitt and his colleagues have submitted a budgetary request to the Governor and legislative leaders to increase the annual CHIPS (Consolidated Highway Improvement Program) by $150 million, restore $65 million in Extreme Winter Recovery Funds, increase PAVE-NY local funding to $200 million annually and increase BRIDGE-NY local funding to $200 million annually. This high priority request is money that goes directly to fixing our local roads at no cost to local taxpayers.

The Assemblyman also participated in a bipartisan funding rally with hundreds of local highway and road workers and constituents in Albany to continue advocating for the funding and help generate awareness of the efforts to bring our fair share of infrastructure funding back to the Hudson Valley.

Assemblyman Colin Schmitt stated, “As the ranking member on the Assembly Local Governments Committee, I am proud to stand with road and highway workers from across our state to advocate for critical funding to fix our roads, fill potholes and make driving better for all. I am proud to be leading the charge for our area up in Albany to increase the funding used for our local roads and infrastructure. Those who drive around know how deteriorated many of our local roads have become. It’s time for Albany to step up and fully fund CHIPS, restore Winter Recovery Funding and increase PAVE-NY and BRIDGE-NY funding.”

Schmitt continued, “I want to thank our local highway departments for the great work they do for our communities and for joining me in Albany to advocate for more funding. For far too long we have asked them to do so much with limited resources, the time is now to fully fund all programs to fix our roads and infrastructure.”

Town of Highlands Highway Superintendent Pat Patterson stated, “Thank you to Assemblyman Colin Schmitt for being a strong voice for us in Albany, fighting for funding for our local communities. Assemblyman Schmitt successfully restored infrastructure funding for us last year and we know we have a true advocate leading the charge for us with this renewed push for much needed funding to fix our roads.”

Colin Schmitt is committed to public service. Colin is a member of the U.S. Army National Guard and Assemblyman for the 99th NYS Assembly District which includes the Town of Stony Point in Rockland County and The Towns of Wawayanda, Goshen, Hamptonburgh, Chester, Blooming Grove, New Windsor, Cornwall, Highlands and Woodbury in Orange County. Colin lives in the Town of New Windsor with his wife Nikki and their beloved adopted Catahoula puppy Quincy!

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MidHudsonTimes: Bail reform blasted
Officials slam criminal justice reforms after release of Level 3 sex offender http://timeshudsonvalley.com/stories/bail-reform-blasted,15287

http://timeshudsonvalley.com/stories/bail-reform-blasted,15287

ASSEMBLYMAN SCHMITT CORONAVIRUS UPDATE INVOLVING STEWART AIRPORT

Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt (R,C,I-New Windsor) has been working with local and state government partners to ensure the safety of all residents of the 99th Assembly District and State of New York in regards to the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak. This morning Governor Cuomo has recalled all SUNY and CUNY students studying abroad in Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and China to New York where they will land and be screened at New York Stewart International Airport.

Assemblyman Schmitt has been in direct contact and is facilitating coordination with the Governor’s Office, Commissioner of Health Dr. Zucker and Orange County Commissioner of Emergency Services Brendan Casey to ensure safety of all residents of New Windsor and communities surrounding New York Stewart International Airport.

Recalled students will be flown into Stewart, will be screened for medical symptoms and then under the current plan they will be transported by charter buses to quarantine locations closest to their home campus (i.e. SUNY Albany students will be brought to a local Albany quarantine) where they will be held for 14 days.

Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt stated, “I have been in direct contact and coordination with the Governor’s Office, Commissioner Zucker and Commissioner Casey throughout the day. I will continue to provide any and all assistance needed to protect local residents and ensure the safe return of our SUNY and CUNY students to New York. I will provide updates as they become available and will continue to work around the clock with government partners at all levels until we end this outbreak.”

Colin Schmitt is committed to public service. Colin is a member of the U.S. Army National Guard and Assemblyman for the 99th NYS Assembly District which includes the Town of Stony Point in Rockland County and The Towns of Wawayanda, Goshen, Hamptonburgh, Chester, Blooming Grove, New Windsor, Cornwall, Highlands and Woodbury in Orange County. Colin lives in the Town of New Windsor with his wife Nikki and their beloved adopted Catahoula puppy Quincy!

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https://www.facebook.com/NYforSchmitt/

Great meeting with some awesome Washingtonville Central School District Seniors today in Albany!

I will never stop working to keep our communities safe. Thank you for the kind words—>

ASSEMBLYMAN SCHMITT RECEIVES EMERGENCY BRIEFING ON CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK, PASSES BIPARTISAN RESPONSE BILL

ALBANY, NY — (03/03/20) Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt (R,C,I-New Windsor) this evening received an emergency briefing from New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and efforts to prevent the spread of the disease in New York.

Schmitt specifically discussed with the Commissioner steps to protect the public around the Hudson Valley’s prominent international tourist destinations Woodbury Common and West Point.

Following the briefing Assemblyman Schmitt worked in bipartisan fashion to pass an emergency funding bill focused on combating the coronavirus outbreak. The bill authorizes aid to municipalities for expenses related to an outbreak as well as ensuring personnel, equipment, medical supplies and medical and first responder training is available in the event of a worst case scenario.

Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt stated, “Upon word of the first confirmed case of coronavirus in New York I immediately set to work in bipartisan fashion to advance a response to this public health threat. This emergency bill will ensure our state has the resources and ability to stop this outbreak and keep New Yorkers safe.”

Schmitt continued, “I will continue working with my partners in government to protect our Assembly District and all residents of New York State during the coronavirus disease threat.”

Suggested preventative actions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus from the Department of Health:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Individuals who are experiencing symptoms and may have traveled to areas of concern or have been in contact with somebody who has traveled to these areas should call ahead to their healthcare provider before presenting for treatment.

Colin Schmitt is committed to public service. Colin is a member of the U.S. Army National Guard and Assemblyman for the 99th NYS Assembly District which includes the Town of Stony Point in Rockland County and The Towns of Wawayanda, Goshen, Hamptonburgh, Chester, Blooming Grove, New Windsor, Cornwall, Highlands and Woodbury in Orange County. Colin lives in the Town of New Windsor with his wife Nikki and their beloved adopted Catahoula puppy Quincy!

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In an emergency briefing regarding Coronavirus with NYS Commissioner of Health. Working to ensure we do everything to protect the 99th District and all of NY. Will update soon.

COMBATING SCHOOL VIOLENCE: ASSEMBLYMAN SCHMITT HOSTS SCARLETT LEWIS FOUNDER OF CHOOSE LOVE MOVEMENT IN ALBANY

Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt (R,C,I-New Windsor) hosted the founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement Scarlett Lewis in Albany along with local constituents who serve as advocates for the program that combats school violence, bully and aims to create a better world.

The Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement was founded in the aftermath of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in December 2012. Scarlett Lewis lost her son Jesse Lewis alongside 19 of his first grade classmates and six educators in one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history. Prior to Jesse’s death, he had left a message on a chalkboard in their home, “Nurturing, Healing, Love”. Scarlett used this message as her fuel to create the Choose Love program and bring it around the world.

The Choose Love program is a no-cost K-12 science based Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program that can be implemented in classrooms, in the home, prisons, and the workplace. The mission of Choose Love is to provide tools for decision making based on emotions. The idea behind the Choose Love Program is to give individuals the courage to decide their actions from a place of compassion. In turn, this will combat bullying and violence therefore making our schools safer.

The Choose Love program is currently implemented in the Monroe-Woodbury and Washingtonville School Districts. The Assembly has a goal to eventually spread this program to every school district in the Assembly District.

Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt stated, “From the depths of tragedy Scarlett Lewis set out on a mission to combat school violence, protect children and make a more peaceful world. Choose Love is a model we need in every school in this country. It saves lives. It makes a difference. Thank you Scarlett for all you have done. I cannot wait to expand the Jesse Lewis Choose Love program in the 99th Assembly District.”

Scarlett Lewis, Mother of Jesse Lewis and Founder of Choose Love stated, “I want to thank Assemblyman Schmitt for hosting Choose Love in Albany today. Our movement is dedicated to combating school violence and protecting our children. We are grateful to Assemblyman Schmitt for championing this movement and choosing love.”

Colin Schmitt is committed to public service. Colin is a member of the U.S. Army National Guard and Assemblyman for the 99th NYS Assembly District which includes the Town of Stony Point in Rockland County and The Towns of Wawayanda, Goshen, Hamptonburgh, Chester, Blooming Grove, New Windsor, Cornwall, Highlands and Woodbury in Orange County. Colin lives in the Town of New Windsor with his wife Nikki and their beloved adopted Catahoula puppy Quincy!

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I am leading the fight to stop sexual predators and other horrendous criminals for terrorizing our children and communities under the new bail and criminal justice laws. Sign the petition to stand with me—> https://www.colinschmitt.com/petition-to-repeal-nys-criminal-justice-changes/

ABC: Bail reform: Sex offender freed after Orange County nursery school playground arrest https://abc7ny.com/5973531

https://abc7ny.com/5973531

#TeamSchmitt and the GOP team grassroots volunteers strong Sunday start! Fighting for our Hudson Valley values.

#TeamSchmitt #Women4Schmitt

Blessed by all your support. Message me to join our grassroots movement.

MidHudsonNews: Local authorities call for end to bail reform https://midhudsonnews.com/2020/02/29/local-authorities-call-for-end-to-bail-reform/

Team Schmitt volunteer blitz with Hyun Chin Kim for Orange County Court Re-Elect Judge Carol Klein Steve Brescia New Windsor Republican Committee! 2020 is the strongest year yet for the team.

Photo News: Assemblyman Schmitt: ‘We will win in November’

“We will not allow a Cuomo candidate to take this seat. We will win in November.”

http://www.thephoto-news.com/news/local-news/new-windsor-assemblyman-schmitt-we-will-win-in-november-CB928958

News12: Level 3 sex offender release after arrest outrages bail reform critics http://westchester.news12.com/story/41832523/level-3-sex-offender-release-after-arrest-outrages-bail-reform-critics

http://westchester.news12.com/story/41832523/level-3-sex-offender-release-after-arrest-outrages-bail-reform-critics

ABC:Bail reform: Sex offender freed after Orange County nursery school playground arrest https://abc7ny.com/5973531

https://abc7ny.com/5973531

Standing up for victims and all members of the community against the dangerous criminal justice changes and bail elimination with David M. Hoovler Orange County DA Sheriff Carl E. DuBois Police Chiefs’ Association of Orange County and local community leaders this morning in New Windsor.

Lead story on Eyewitness news this afternoon standing against dangerous criminal justice changes and bail elimination. Fighting to keep our communities safe in response to a level 3 sex offender being released with no bail in New Windsor after sneaking into a fenced in nursery school playground.