| Special Session Last Week
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| In case you missed the news from last week, my colleagues and I in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 1 and HB 2 by 161-40 and 134-67 respectively, finally advancing these bills to the Senate.
This legislation will provide a window for justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse so that survivors can have their day in court. Now we call on the Pennsylvania Senate to take up this important legislation and deliver justice to survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
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| Environmental Legislation Introduced
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| This week I reintroduced my remaining bills from the previous session, addressing the environment and energy sector in Pennsylvania. The bill group includes Plain Language in Oil and Gas Contracts, Low-Emission & Zero-Emission Vehicle Study, Statewide Costs of Flooding Study, Comprehensive Storm Water Management, and lastly Protecting Riparian Buffers.
You may remember a few of these from the previous legislative session. Plain Language requires all oil and gas contracts in Pennsylvania to pass a readability test to reduce consumer confusion. The Low Emission & Zero-Emission Study would look at the feasibility of establishing those programs in PA. The bill Protecting Riparian Buffers would provide a minimum 100-foot riparian buffer along Pennsylvania’s waterways.
I have also re-released two bills to address flooding concerns. The Comprehensive Storm Water Management would direct PA counties to prepare and implement a storm water management plant for improved storm water runoff and reduced flooding. The Statewide Costs of Flooding Study would identify the economic costs of flooding to homes and businesses in our Commonwealth as we currently have no way of tracking it.
If you have questions about the legislation mentioned or other bills that have been introduced, please reach out to my district office and my staff will be able to assist you.
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| This week we celebrate Read Across America, encouraging young minds to read more literature. Books are often one of the best ways for students to grapple with and understand the complex issues we face in our everyday lives. They also allow us to go on fun adventures, meet new friends, and learn something unexpected.
During this time, we should also thank the librarians, teachers, and support staff that invest in our children’s education everyday by assisting them in literacy and understanding. Growing up in Philadelphia, access to books and support from librarians influenced my life path and I am forever grateful to the individuals who helped me along the way.
Over the coming days I ask you to encourage the young people in your lives to find a good book to read and maybe do so yourself! My staff and I will be highlighting some of the most influential books in our lives as well over the next few days.
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| In March we celebrate Women’s History Month to celebrate the achievements of women in America, honor current and past female leaders, and work toward a better and brighter future for all. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories”, highlighting female story tellers, news reporters, journalists, radio broadcasters, screen writers, and more.
So many names come to mind from Maya Angelou, Ida B. Wells, Barbara Walters, Nellie Bly, Dorothea Lange, Amy Tan, Jane Austen, Quinta Brunson, and Patty Jenkins just to name a few among hundreds of women who tell our stories.
I encourage you all to support female story tellers this month, and throughout the year, and share them with your family, friends, and colleagues.
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| 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
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