| Dear Neighbor, I hope you are well. This week, one of my bills was signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro. Below, I have for you legislative developments, upcoming events, more election information as we inch closer to Nov. 5, what I’ve been up to, and other happenings in the district.
As always, I hope you find the information below informative and useful.
| | | Signing My Veterans’ Records of Discharge Legislation into Law
|  | | I’m very excited to announce that my legislation (H.B. 269) was signed into law on Monday by Gov. Josh Shapiro. Thank you to each person who supported this bill and its journey, specifically Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Jeanne Sorg and her staff, who brought this concern to my attention.
What’s important about H.B. 269 is that it extends the seal of DD-214s to 85 years rather than the previous 75 years due to the increase in life expectancy. Previously, DD-214s, which grant veterans access to an array of benefits, were accessible to anyone who requested to review them after the 75 years expired. The form includes personal information, such as Social Security numbers and birthdates, making veterans susceptible to fraud and identity theft.
Veterans bravely served our country, and they deserve privacy and reassurance that their personal information is safeguarded.
Thank you to all who attended the bill signing: my colleagues in the PA House, Majority Leader Bradford, Reps. Ben Sanchez, Steve Malagari, Melissa Cerrato, Joe Ciresi and Pat Gallagher. Also attending were Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Jeanne Sorg and her deputy, Diana Dillio, and Graf Eggers, who is a proud veteran, a resident of my legislative district, and a staff member of Delaware Community College whose role is to support veterans who are furthering their formal education.
| | | Legislative Updates
|  | | H.B. 1379
| | I’m proud to support my colleague, Rep. Steve Malagari’s legislation, H.B. 1379, which passed 135-67 in the PA House Wednesday. This bill — if passed by the Senate — would give retired municipal police officers and firefighters, teachers, and state workers a cost-of-living increase for the first time since 2002. The hard-working people who go into
these careers give back to our communities, keep us safe, educate us, and help us. It’s time we do our part by giving them a small increase in their retirement pay to help with rising costs. This puts money back into the pockets of retired public servants who dedicated their time and life to serving our communities.
| | S.B. 365
| | As a companion to Rep. Jennifer O’Mara’s H.B. 1632, which I was glad to co-sponsor, S.B. 365 changes the standard that a first responder must meet to establish a workers’ compensation claim for a post-traumatic stress injury. It’s time to end the stigma around mental health, and changes how it’s often treated -- as less of a concern than other injuries. We need to continue supporting our first responders because when the worst happens, they are there for us. Now, we’re there for them.
| | H.R. 551
| | For more than three centuries, the National Guard has played a vital role in serving our communities, protecting our Commonwealth, and defending our country. This resolution will officially celebrate the National Guards’ 388th birthday on Dec. 13.
| | | Vaccine Clinic
| |  | | On Monday, Nov. 4, I’m partnering with Giant Pharmacy to host a Vaccine Clinic in my district office! The clinic runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and offers COVID-19 boosters, Influenza, Pneumonia, RSV, TDAP, and Shingles vaccinations.
To schedule an appointment, please click this link https://forms.office.com/e/Dw6K855xy7 or call our office at 484-200-8263.
When: Monday, Nov. 4, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: 35 Evansburg Road, Suite 200, Collegeville, PA 19426
| | | Election Reminders
|  | | Tuesday, Oct. 29 is the last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot for the upcoming election on Tuesday, Nov. 5! Your completed application must be received by your county election office by 5 p.m. For more information, please visit Vote by Mail Application. Below are more key dates.
|  | | If you have any questions, please call our office at 484-200-8263 or visit Montgomery County Voter Services.
| | | Visiting MRO
|  | | Yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting MRO in Norristown. MRO efficiently manages clinical records for its clients through expertise and innovative approaches. It was interesting to learn how much work is accomplished manually. Their goal is to make record-keeping and retrieval as seamless as possible, while providing reliable protection and secure storage of the information. Great to have this company and their services in our community.
| | | Grant Money in Our Community
|  | | I have additional grant news to share! Funding has been awarded to Collegeville Borough, Lower Providence Township, Upper Providence Township, and West Norriton Township for several infrastructure and equipment upgrades. Congratulations to each municipality! As listed:
Collegeville Borough: Culvert Project
Collegeville Borough will receive $250,000 in funding that upgrades the stormwater conveyance system that is currently deteriorating and other structural costs.
Lower Providence Township: CIPP Lining Project
Lower Providence Township will receive $850,000 in funds that will rehabilitate 3,640 linear feet of deteriorating stormwater collection and conveyance systems with cured in place pipe (CIPP).
Lower Providence Township: Police Vehicles
Lower Providence Township will also receive $112,624 in funds that will replace three aging police vehicles that have reached the end of their service life with three 2025 Ford Utility Police Interceptors added to the fleet.
Upper Providence Township: Public Works Fuel Station Safety & Relocation Project
Upper Providence Township is receiving $700,000 in funding that will help relocate and expand a fueling station for municipal vehicles to help avoid risk and daily interactions between township equipment and a nearby community playground.
West Norriton: Vehicles and Equipment
West Norriton Township was awarded $298,354 in funding to purchase a new vehicle and equipment to assist with snow plowing, leaf and yard waste collection, and salting.
West Norriton: Centennial Park Upgrades
West Norriton will also receive $200,000 in funding to improve Centennial Park by adding an amphitheater, a covered stage structure, the addition of an accessible restroom, and the reconstruction of segments of the trail system.
| | | “Shatter the Silence” Raising Awareness for Change
|  | | You can still register for the Domestic Violence Education and Awareness event from the Montgomery County Coroner taking place tonight, Thursday, Oct. 24. The event is from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Montgomery County Coroner’s Training Room and features guest speakers, support services, and other critical information about this issue. To RSVP, please click the link below or scan the QR code.
https://form.jotform.com/242756189631162
| | | Drug Disposal Program
|  | | On Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Montgomery County Police Chiefs Association and District Attorney’s Office are hosting Drug Take Back Day. This program allows you to drop off any unused or unwanted medications at a participating police department.
Accepted:
Prescription and over-the-counter tablets and capsules
Inhalers and nasal sprays
Creams and ointments
Pet medicines
Vaping products
Not accepted:
Needles
Liquid meds
Intravenous/injectable solutions
In our community, you can drop off unused or unwanted medications at the Collegeville Police Department, Lower Providence Township Police Department, Upper Providence Township Police Department, and West Norriton Police Department. For more information and additional locations, please visit Drug Disposal Program | Montgomery County, PA - Official Website.
| | | Perkiomen Mapping & Flood Mitigation Study
|  | | The Perkiomen Mapping & Flood Mitigation Study is a collaboration among county planning commissions and conservation districts, local municipalities, the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, my office, and other organizations to help address flooding issues throughout the entire Perkiomen Creek watershed, which includes Montgomery, Bucks, Berks, and Lehigh counties.
The first public meetings are listed below:
Tuesday, Nov. 12 at Upper Providence Township Building
Tuesday, Nov. 19 at Pennridge North Middle School
Thursday, Nov. 21 at Upper Perkiomen High School
Keep an eye out for an update on the progress of the study. For more information, please visit www.perkiomenwatershed.org.
| | | Upcoming Observances
|  | | Oct. 27 – Tree of Life Shooting Remembrance
Six years ago on Oct. 27, 11 worshippers were killed, and six others were wounded, in a mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. We honor and remember the lives of each victim and survivor. Antisemitism, hate crimes, and hate speech have zero place in our communities. We need to continue promoting empathy, kindness, love, and acceptance throughout our communities and around the world
|  | | Oct. 28 – National First Responders Day
Oct. 28 is National First Responders Day! We recognize our brave first responders who dedicate their time and lives to help the people in our communities. We count on them when we need it most, and they drop everything to be there and serve, protect, heal, and assist in any way possible. Thank you to each first responder for your service.
| | | Neighborhood Events
|  | | Halloween House Decorating Contest from West Norriton Township
Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Register by Oct. 20 via this form: Form Center • Halloween House Decorating Contest 2024 (westnorritontwp.org).
Halloween Parade from Collegeville Rotary
Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m.
Main Street
8th Annual Car Show from Jefferson Fire Company
Saturday, Nov. 2nd from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
85 School Lane, Jeffersonville, PA 19403
Fair Housing Fundamentals Training from Lower Providence Township
Wednesday, Nov. 6th from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
100 Parklane Drive, Eagleville, PA 19403
| | | | 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]. If you wish to unsubscribe to this email, please scroll to the bottom where it says “visit this page to manage your email preferences".
Sincerely,
Rep. Joe Webster
State Representative
150th Legislative District
| | | | | | Pennsylvania House Democrats are committed to ensuring better jobs, better schools and better communities for all Pennsylvanians. More information on these successful efforts is available at pahouse.com/deliveringforpa.
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