Dear Neighbor, I hope you are well. This week I have important information on SNAP benefits and the budget impasses we face at the federal and state level, my Veterans’ Breakfast on Nov. 20 and how to sign up, key dates for the upcoming election and more! As always, I hope you find the information below useful. | | Important Updates/Highlights | As a result of the current Republican federal government shutdown, SNAP funding will run out by the end of October and benefits will not be delivered in November. What does this mean specifically to the people in Pennsylvania? Two million will go without food aid, more than half of which are families with children. What you can do about it: - If you receive SNAP benefits, reach out to your local food pantry or contact my office to find out where to go for help. Your SNAP card will continue to work past November 1, but will not be reloaded.
- I recommend letters, emails and phone messages—sent frequently—to make our Republican leaders in Washington and in Harrisburg pay attention to their constituents instead of exorbitantly wealthy corporations. You can reach out to Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senators and Representatives by clicking their name as listed and urge them to stop hurting the people of Pennsylvania. U.S. Senator Dave McCormick and Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick, Ryan McKenzie, Rob Bresnahan, Dan Meuser, Scott Perry, Lloyd Smucker, John Joyce, Guy Reschenthaler, Glenn Thompson, and Mike Kelly.
- It’s also important to note that beginning in September, SNAP recipients must now meet work, education or volunteer requirements in order to receive full benefits. And starting in November, additional requirements will be added. You can find a comprehensive breakdown of the new requirements and what to do by visiting this website.
| The Republican party controls the U.S. Senate, the House, and the Presidency. They’ve shut down the federal government, that’s just a simple fact. In Pennsylvania, our Republican-led Senate will not pass a budget that meets funding needs. These budget impasses, at the federal level and in Pennsylvania, are the result of a political strategy designed to always remove resources. Every year, the goal of this strategy is to restrict, limit or remove resources. The impacts and losses are felt in health and benefit programs, in schools, in essential programs for our disabled community at all stages of life. Every year, this strategy is to cut and remove while undermining the economy and, most of all, hurting people across our Commonwealth. The result is hurt and anxiety for children, families, friends and neighbors. You should know the Pennsylvania House has passed an appropriate budget three times, with bipartisan support. It would fully fund our schools (based on the PA Supreme Court decision for fair funding), raise wages, help care workers, keep seniors in their own homes and provide stipends for new teachers and nurses in training. It also would reduce corporate tax rates and make sure that corporations with armies of lawyers actually pay taxes on their revenue in Pennsylvania. And it doesn’t raise personal taxes … not one dime. While Pennsylvania’s budget cannot provide the $336 million that the federal government allots for SNAP benefits during normal times, or make up for the overall federal funding losses, it’s still enormously important that we pass one. And right now, it’s being held hostage by Republican state Senate leaders Kim Ward and Joe Pittman who won’t put the House bill in front of the Senate for a vote. You can send them a message demanding action, telling them to stop ignoring the needs of Pennsylvanians by visiting this website. As you can see, there is some help to be had. But we shouldn’t take this without action. I urge you to call, make contact, urge them to actually vote on a budget that works for all Pennsylvanians. | I'm excited to host my annual Veterans’ Breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 20, at Chadwick’s Restaurant & Bar from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Be my guest as I share updates on legislative matters involving Pennsylvania veterans.
Registration is required and space is limited! To reserve your spot, you can call my office at 484-200-8263! | Inclusive Post-High School Resource Fair | Save the date, neighbors! My FREE Inclusive Post-High School Resource Fair with The Arc Alliance and a team of local volunteers is on Sunday, Jan. 25, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Hall A of the Greater Philadelphia Expo in Oaks! We are currently seeking vendors for this event and interested parties can apply here. Ideal vendors currently serve high school students with IEPs and 504 plans and offer post‑secondary opportunities such as employment, internships, apprenticeships, transitional services, continuing education, or supported living programs. A comprehensive list can be found below. - Post-Secondary Education: Institutions that offer Higher Education programs for IDD/A
- Inclusive Employment: Employers championing IDD/A hiring practices
- Supported Employment: Organizations that provide job coaching, job finding, and job skill development
- Transition & Life Skills: Programs developing social, independent living, and vocational skills
- Arts & Recreational: Programs providing opportunities in arts and recreation
- Social and Community: Programs fostering social connections
- Legal & Financial Planning: Organizations that support financial planning and benefits management
- Community Supports: Providers who work with individuals to involve them in the community
- Day Programs: Programs offering opportunities for social interaction, skill development, and activities
- Residential Programs: Community living arrangement with 24/7 staff to support
- Self-Advocacy Groups: Groups led by individuals with IDD/A to empower others with IDD/A
- Transportation: Services offering transportation for individuals with disabilities.
- Behavioral Supports: Supports to reduce behaviors that limit independence and community involvement
- Health/Medical: Community and In-home health services
There is no cost to participate but all vendors must apply and be approved. For more information, reach out to Nicole at [email protected] | Election Day is right around the corner! Now that we’ve passed the Oct. 20 registration deadline, Pennsylvania voters have until Tuesday, Oct. 28, to apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot for the upcoming Municipal Election on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard. Register now at vote.pa.gov/Register and check out the graphic for more important dates for the upcoming election! Reminder! There are 18 ballot drop box locations that are now officially open across Montgomery County! Ballot drop boxes are open 24/7 and serve as secure locations for eligible voters to return their ballot. Visit this website to find your nearest ballot drop box! www.montgomerycountypa.gov/3587/Returning-Your-Mail-In-Ballot | Heads up, neighbors! PennDOT has announced the following road work in our area: Sunday, Oct. 19, through Saturday, Oct. 25, Route 73 (Skippack Pike) will be closed and detoured 24/7 between North Wales Road and Mara Drive in North Wales Borough. During the closure, motorists will be directed to use U.S. 202 (Dekalb Pike), Morris Road, and Bethel Road. Monday, Oct. 20, through Thursday, Oct. 23, Main Street will be closed and detoured 24/7 between First Avenue and Second Avenue in Royersford Borough. During the closure, motorists will be directed to use Main Street, Bridge Street, Route 724 (Schuylkill Road), Linfield Road, and Lewis Road. | Helpful Information From Silence to Strength: Voices of Justice & Survival | QPR: Suicide Awareness is an upcoming seminar from Upper Providence Township Police Department and Montgomery County Department of Human & Health Services. This free, 18+ program will help you learn skills to identify and help someone showing suicidal warning signs. When: On Thursday, October 23, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Where: Upper Providence Township Meeting Hall Register by clicking here. | Saturday, October 25, is National Drug Take Back Day! In our area, the Montgomery County Police Chiefs Association and District Attorney’s Office are hosting drop off locations for any unused or unwanted medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at participating police departments.
Accepted: - Prescription and over-the-counter tablets and capsules
- Inhalers and nasal sprays
- Creams and ointments
- Pet medicines
- Vaping products with batteries removed
Not accepted: - Needles
- Liquid meds
- Intravenous/injectable solutions
- Marijuana and illegal drugs
In our community, you can drop off unused or unwanted medications at the Collegeville Police Department, Lower Providence Township Police Department and Upper Providence Township Police Department. For more information, click here! | If you’re a senior 65 or older, you can ride SEPTA for free! Stop by my district office at 35 Evansburg Road with a valid form of ID and my staff can help you sign up for a free SEPTA Senior Fare Card. My office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | If you need state-related assistance, my office can help you! Please feel free to contact my staff with any questions by calling 484-200-8263 or emailing [email protected] | Tree of Life – October 27 | On Oct. 27, we honor and remember each victim and survivor of the 2018 mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, which killed 11 worshippers and wounded six others. It’s our duty to build communities that promote empathy, compassion and acceptance while we continue to denounce and work to end antisemitism and hate crimes. | Halloween House Decorating Contest from West Norriton Township Wednesday, October 22, judging from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Halloween Open Mic from Martha’s Community Farm Saturday, October 25, from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. Martha’s Community Farm, 1350 Pawlings Road, Audubon, PA Registration required, more info can be found here Collegeville Rotary Halloween Fest Wednesday, October 29 - Little Goblins Gathering: 4:30 p.m., Collegeville Community Park
- Fest Marketplace: 4:30 p.m. - 9 p.m., Collegeville Community Park
- Parade: 6:45 p.m., Main Street at Clamer Avenue to 325 Main Street
- Boo Boulevard: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Collegeville Community Park
More information: https://collegevillerotaryhalloweenfest.org/page/halloween-fest-information Spooky Time & Spooky Parade from Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Thursday, Ocober. 30, at 10:30 a.m. Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library, 1700 Markley Street, Norristown, PA Note: For ages 2-5, no registration required | 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, “Update Email Preferences.” Sincerely,
Rep. Joe Webster
State Representative
150th Legislative District | Pennsylvania State Capitol 125-B East Wing P.O. Box 202150 Harrisburg, PA 17120 (717) 787-0419 | District Office 35 Evansburg Road
Collegeville, PA 19426 (484) 200-8263 | |
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