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

HB 269 – Veterans’ Records of Discharge (from Rep. Webster)

Protects Veterans’ identity and privacy by extending an existing prohibition on disclosing a veteran’s discharge records from the current 75 years to 85 years. Records remain available to the veteran, immediate family, or authorized representative. Passed the House 203-0.

HB 1259 – Easing Burden of Childcare Costs

Would increase an existing child care tax credit incrementally to keep up with inflation. Cap would rise to 35% for the 2024 tax year, 40% for the 2025 tax year, 45% for the 2026 tax year, and 50% of the federal amount claimed for the 2027 tax year. Passed the House 141-62.

HB 892 – Establishing the Veterans Outreach & Support Network

Would assist veterans transitioning from military service to civilian life. Ensures coordination from state agencies, county veterans affairs offices, healthcare providers and non-profits to provide vital information to new veterans and their families. Passed the House 203-0.

HB 900 – Dignity for Incarcerated Women

Establishes and implements best practices for incarcerated pregnant people. This bill includes but is not limited to the prohibition of solitary confinement of pregnant persons, provides for up to three days of post-delivery bonding time between the child and parent, and provides for appropriate amount of feminine hygiene products at no cost to those incarcerated. Passed the House 203-0.

HB 1138 – Reducing Cell Phone Bills for PA Families

Would exempt cell phone services from the 6% sales and use tax as well as the 5% gross receipts tax. Is projected to save PA families $124 million per year. Passed the House 203-0.

HB 1305 – Ensuring a Sustainable 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Would ensure sustainable funding for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline remains open and operational to provide help when needed. Passed the House 113-90

I-95 Collapse

As I’m sure you’ve seen, a portion of I-95 in Philadelphia collapsed early Sunday morning due to a fire started by an apparent vehicle accident. The damages to the interstate will have a major impact on our region’s transportation network. With repairs are expected to take months, it is highly advised to use alternative modes of transportation to move throughout Philadelphia and our southeast region. SEPTA has expanded capacity on the Trenton, West Trenton, and Fox Chase Regional Rail Lines by adding rail cars to scheduled peak service trains. Parking at Regional Rail Stations will remain free at this time. Bus Routes are also being detoured.

Montgomery County Hazardous Waste Collection

This Saturday, Montgomery County will be hosting a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event at the Norristown Area High School. You must register for the event if you want to drop off materials. Please note that no electronics will be accepted.

LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Day

This Thursday is LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Awareness Day. LGBTQIA+ workers earn about 90 cents for every dollar a typical worker earns in the United States. To bridge this gap, the Pennsylvania Senate must take up the PA Fairness Act that was passed by the House this past May to end discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation.

Flag Day

Today is Flag Day to honor the anniversary of the birth of the original flag of the United States. Signed by the Second Continental Congress, the resolution stated “that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen states, white in a blue field representing a new constellation” and passed on June 14, 1777.

With all its variations and the places it’s been, from outside our solar system to the deepest depths of the ocean, we fly our flag proud today, renewing our pledge to live up to the ideals and values it encompasses and striving to be a more perfect union.

Juneteenth

Next Monday we honor Juneteenth, commemorating the emancipation of the remaining enslaved Black peoples from Galveston, Texas in 1865. Juneteenth is a day to reflect on our history, celebrate the true meaning of freedom, and recommit ourselves to accepting our past and building a brighter future.

There are multiple Juneteenth events occurring this weekend and into Monday throughout the county. Clink the link for the full list.

As a reminder, the district office will be closed Monday in observance of Juneteenth.

Happy Father’s Day

Don’t forget, this Sunday is Father’s Day! I wish all the fathers out there a happy Father’s Day and a wonderful weekend.

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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