Dear Neighbor, I hope you are well! I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on several happenings in the district as well as Harrisburg. 

As always, I hope you find this informative and useful.

Updates from Harrisburg

Here’s what happened this week in Harrisburg:

HB 689 – Clean Slate 3.0

Expands the Clean Slate Law to allow low-level, non-violent drug felonies eligible for automated sealing after a waiting period of ten years free from additional criminal convictions. Additionally, the waiting period for automated sealing of misdemeanors is reduced from ten to seven years. By sealing records, access to employment increases as well as wage, access to housing, and expands opportunities for higher education. Passed the House 189-14.

HB 1100 – Expansion of Property Tax / Rent Rebate Program

Expands income limits for the Property Tax / Rent Rebate Program and sets future increases by Cost of Living Adjustments to keep up with inflation. This legislation would help an additional 200,000 seniors, neighbors, and loved ones stay in their homes. Passed the House 194-9.

HB 394 – Reforming Venue for Human Trafficking

Makes it easier for the victims of human trafficking to bring lawsuits against their offenders by allowing the victim to file the lawsuit either where the victims lives or where the crime occurred. Passed the House 203-0.

HB 849 – Time to Fix Pennsylvania’s Broken Mental Health Care System

In the 2022-2023 budget, the General Assembly established the Behavioral Health Commission on Adult Mental which has now produced recommendations to address adult behavior health needs in Pennsylvania. This legislation will turn the recommendations into actionable items and distribute $100 million in one-time federal funding to Pennsylvania counties. Passed by the House 173-30.

Congratulations, Seniors!

I want to wish our High School Seniors a big Congratulations! Spring-Ford, Norristown, and Perkiomen Valley will all hold their ceremonies this week with Methacton following next Tuesday. Be proud of your achievement and I wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors!

Riparian Buffer Press Conference

Last Friday I held a press conference to discuss my Riparian Buffer Legislation and the importance of stormwater management. I was joined by Delaware Riverkeepr Maya van Rossum, Ursinus College President Dr. Robin Hannigan, Cool Heron LLC Founder and Director Erin McCool, and PennFuture Field Director Jess Cadorette plus Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards, West Norriton Township Environmental Advisory Council, Lower Providence Township Environmental Advisory Council, Upper Providence Township Supervisor Bill Starling, and Lower Providence Township Supervisor Gary Neights.

The riparian buffer legislation would protect this space, left and right of the creek by about 100 feet, I recently pointed out from a section of riparian buffer of the Skippack Creek. This bill protects riparian buffers from development; it protects them from impermeable kinds of parking spaces and black tops so that water seeps into the earth.

You can read more about the press conference here.

Please continue to stay safe, healthy and well-informed.

And, if you have questions about any state-related issue, please contact my office at 484-200-8263 or email [email protected].

Sincerely,

Rep. Joe Webster
State Representative
150th Legislative District

PA House of Representatives Democratic Caucus
PO Box 202250 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2250

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