Important Updates/Highlights

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, neighbors! I want to wish each of you a wonderful holiday that’s filled with joy and great company!

Holiday Office Schedule

Hey, neighbors! I want to quickly share my district office hours for the holiday this week. Here are the following dates and times we will be closed.

Wednesday, Nov. 26, office closed all day
Thursday, Nov. 27, office closed all day
Friday, Nov. 28, office closed all day

If you need state-related assistance, call my office at (484) 200-8263 and a staff member will get back to you. We will re-open on Monday, Dec. 1 at 9:30 a.m.

Honoring our Veterans with a Breakfast

I want to thank everyone who attended my annual Veterans Breakfast! It was an honor to sit down with fellow veterans, share a meal, and talk about the issues that matter most to them.

We discussed specific veteran legislation we’re working on in Harrisburg and shared important resources from Shardae Wescott with the Coatesville VA Medical Center, as well as staff from the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds. It’s always a privilege to host this event each year for our veteran community, and I’m already looking forward to the next one.

A special thank you to Chadwick’s Restaurant & Bar for hosting us, the Schwenksville Color Guard, our national anthem singer, Theresa Shirley, and Risher Van Horn Florist for the rose for our Missing Man Table.

Winter Collection Drive

Neighbors, my office is hosting our annual Winter Collection Drive now through December 12. We’re collecting canned foods, winter clothing, toiletries, paper products and more. Please check out the list for some of the most needed items. All donations will be delivered to St. James Outreach House, Daily Bread Community Food Pantry and Spring-Ford Project Outreach.

As a reminder, my office will be closed tomorrow, Nov. 26, through Friday, Nov. 28. We will re-open on Monday, Dec. 1 at 9:30 a.m.! You can drop off donations at my office 35 Evansburg Rd, Collegeville, PA 19426.

Inclusive Post-High School Resource Fair

Don't forget! My free Inclusive Post-High School Resource Fair with The Arc Alliance and a team of local volunteers is on Sunday, January 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, & 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]

Pennsylvania State Budget Highlight – Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit

The 2025-26 budget also created the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit (WPTC), which is our state’s version of the federal income tax credit (EITC). If you qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, you automatically qualify for this state tax cut. It’s that simple.

The WPTC will deliver $193 million in tax relief to almost 1 million working Pennsylvanians starting next tax season! In Montgomery County alone, $6.3 million will be delivered to nearly 35,000 residents thanks to the WPTC. Check out the graphic to see if you qualify!

Filing for the WPTC will be simple and automatic. When Pennsylvanians file their federal and state taxes, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue will automatically calculate the state credit. Anyone who qualifies for the federal EITC will now automatically qualify for the state credit, helping reduce taxes owed and putting more money back in hardworking Pennsylvanians’ pockets.

LIHEAP Information

Neighbors, please be advised that the opening of the 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will be delayed until December 3, 2025, because the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has not received its funding for the program due to the federal government shutdown. LIHEAP provides cash grants to help Pennsylvania families pay their heating bills.

More information can be found by clicking here

PUC Suggestions for Heating Bills

Due to rising costs, weather and uncertainty/delays with federal assistance programs like LIHEAP, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is urging consumers to act now if they are worried about winter heating bills.

Here’s a checklist from the PUC on what you can do to prepare and stay connected to essential utility services:

Review your utility bills. Understand your current rate and usage — and how colder weather can increase demand.

Don’t wait to call. If you’re worried about paying your bill, contact your utility now to ask about assistance programs or payment plans.

Ask about affordability programs. Utilities offer programs like CAPs, budget billing, and hardship funds that can reduce your monthly costs.

Make small energy-saving changes. Lower your thermostat by one or two degrees, check furnace filters, and seal drafts — small actions that add up.

Explore energy-saving tools. Visit PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com for energy tips, shopping options, and more ways to save.

Road Alerts

Heads up, neighbors! The current construction on Ridge Pike is scheduled to continue through Friday, January 2027. During this construction, Ridge Pike will be reduced to a single lane in each direction 24/7 between Germantown Pike and Crosskeys Road. There will also be short-term weekday and nighttime lane closures with detours and flagging. Drivers are advised to plan accordingly and practice safe driving habits while crews are at work.

For the latest project updates, please visit PennDOT’s website by clicking here. You can also keep up to date with the project on any of my social media profiles and this weekly newsletter!

Helpful Information/Other Events

Mobile Office Hours – December

If you’re unable to make it to my district office for state-related assistance, my staff is available for mobile office hours on the first and second Wednesday of each month. Check out our upcoming December schedule below:

Wed., December 3
Upper Providence Township Office
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Wed., December 10
W. Norriton Township Building
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

My Office Can Help!

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]

Community Events

Trappe Tree Lighting from Historic Trappe

Wednesday, December 3, from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

The Speaker’s House – 151 W. Main Street, Trappe, PA

Pet Photos with Santa from Lower Providence Township

Thursday, December 4, from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Eagleville Park (Bocce Courts) – 100 Parklane Drive, Eagleville, PA

Full Moon Hike at Norristown Farm Park

Friday, December 5, at 4:40 p.m.

Norristown Farm Park, 2500 Upper Farm Road, Norristown, PA

17th Annual Community Tree Lighting from Lower Providence Township

Friday, December 5, at 6:30 p.m.

Eagleville Park – 100 Parklane Drive, Eagleville, PA

Holidays are for the Birds! Workshop from John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove

Saturday, December 6, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

John James Audubon Center – 1201 Pawlings Road Audubon, PA

6th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony from West Norriton Township

Saturday, December 6, at 6 p.m.

1630 W. Marshall St, Norristown, PA

Note: Donations will be accepted for Jefferson Fire Co’s Toys 4 Kids

Blizzard Bash Open House from Upper Providence Township

Friday, December 12, from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Upper Providence Community Center – 499 Hopwood Rd, Collegeville, PA

Note: Registration required 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]. 

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Sincerely,

Rep. Joe Webster
State Representative
150th Legislative District