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.

School Board Leg Package

Last week I released a legislative package to strengthen our school boards, allowing school board members to be compensated for their work and time, provide them with educational opportunities, and update training requirements. 

School board members have one of the most challenging and important obligations in local government and deserve to be compensated for the time and work they put into our schools and students. The first bill would open the door for school districts to pay their members but would not mandate it. If a school district should choose to proceed with compensation, any approved salary would be equal to the compensation limits that local supervisors and council members receive and will not impede teacher salary increases or funding for vital programs.

The second bill would provide school board members the opportunity to enroll in courses related to their school board work through PASSHE Institutions for free. This course work would include classes such as finance, school law, and educational policy, all in an effort to better serve our local school districts. Students currently enrolled in PASSHE Institutions would not be negatively impacted since school board members can only register in these classes after students had the opportunity to enroll first. 

The final bill would increase the number of training hours for new school board members from five to fourteen, while re-elected members will see an increase from three hours per term to four hours annually. The additional training will include a variety of topics including instruction, fiscal management, and operations. 

I am proud to have introduced these bills to support our school boards in the district and across Pennsylvania. The more informed our school board members are, the more we can ensure our schools are providing the best education.

Gun Violence in Pennsylvania

Another disheartening day yesterday when five teenagers outside of Roxborough High School, who were leaving a football scrimmage, were ambushed by gunmen, firing over 60 bullets, leaving one of the teenagers dead and the other four injured. Another community is now left traumatized and in mourning.

The bottom line is that Pennsylvania needs gun reform. We need red flag laws. We need background checks. We need waiting periods. And we need assault weapons bans.

I have said time and time again that we have bills in the House and Senate, ready to be passed, that create authentic gun reform. These bills would protect responsible gun owners and make Pennsylvania safer. I and my colleagues have tried everything we can to get Republicans to take up these necessary and crucial bills, but we are always met with indifference and coldness across the aisle. 

Now is the time for action.

Stormwater Policy Hearing

Next Monday, October 3rd, is my Stormwater Management & Infrastructure Impact Public Hearing.

I will be at the Upper Providence Township Building at 1286 Black Rock Road, Phoenixville, with stormwater experts to address our outdated stormwater systems and how to better prepare for extreme weather events. Open to the public, will we start our discussion at 1 p.m.!

UC Update + Hurricane Ian

For individuals who are receiving unemployment compensation or need to apply, please be aware that if you need to contact representatives at ID.me for assistance there might be delays, as the main call center is in Florida and due to the incoming Hurricane Ian, the area is under a mandated evacuation order. Calls will be rerouted to other call centers but might still create a delay. 

In regards to Hurricane Ian, I am keeping Floridians in my thoughts and prayers over the next few days as Ian is expected to make landfall shortly with potential of a deadly storm surge and devastating sustained winds.

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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