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Letters to the Editor

Enforcement without discrimination a must

The recent article in the Altoona Mirror, which indicated “Some Altoona residents might think that the city is being harsh in ordering that two recovery homes be closed because the operator opened the facilities prior to them having passed life-safety inspections that are the responsibility of the Fire and Codes departments,” suggested that those who opposed the ordinance, adopted Jan. 6, 2026, were against the city for establishing measures that would protect the lives and well-being of those who would benefit from these types of residences. This is far from the truth. I ...

State taxpayers left paying the bills

Just three months after the 2025-26 budget negotiations were finalized, Gov. Josh Shapiro has introduced his proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, beginning on July 1. Shapiro is, once again, proposing an irresponsible and unsustainable $53.3 billion budget, which represents a 6.3% increase over last year’s budget, further depletes the Rainy Day Fund and balloons the state’s structural deficit. Rather than do the hard work of sitting down with Republican and Democratic legislators to find ways to rein in spending and balance the budget, Shapiro is catering to special ...

Blair County needs Verobish

As a state representative, I urge 79th District voters to support Andrea Verobish in the March 17 special election. It is critical that we elect principled conservatives who will stand against Governor Shapiro’s reckless spending and the progressive agenda advancing full-term abortion and marijuana legalization. Andrea Verobish will be a consistent conservative voice fighting for fiscal responsibility and traditional values. Don’t sit this one out. Join me in supporting Andrea Verobish on March 17. Scott Barger Hollidaysburg

Congress can cover Alzheimer’s diagnosis

More than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Earlier detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s would allow people to access treatments when they would be most effective and implement modifiable risk reduction strategies. As a former caregiver, I understand firsthand the importance of early detection and diagnosis. The bipartisan ASAP Act creates a pathway for Medicare coverage of FDA-approved dementia blood biomarker screening tests. The ASAP Act would also allow coverage for future test methods approved and cleared by the FDA, helping to ensure beneficiaries do ...

We must do better for immigrants

Years ago I attended a friend’s naturalization ceremony. She was in America after her family left their homeland to escape oppression. The ceremony was deeply moving and filled me with pride and love for our country — feelings my grandfather must have experienced many years earlier when he became a citizen. That friend is now a nurse practitioner promoting the health of her fellow Americans. Today masked federal agents wait outside public buildings to prevent people like my grandfather from becoming productive American citizens. Instead, they will be forcibly returned to situations ...

Remember to vote in special election

Tuesday, March 17, marks St. Patrick’s Day, which celebrates the snakes driven from Ireland. This March 17 will be when voters select a replacement for now-Judge Lou Schmitt. Using the snakes as an analogy, voters of the 79th District (Altoona, and Logan and Allegheny townships) must do the same and vote Republican. This special election requires voters to vote again to ensure funding continues for community safety, education and transportation. All registered voters overwhelmingly elected Republican Schmitt to serve as the 79th District representative, so logically, voters should ...