| 2023-2024 Budget Hearings
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| On Monday we kicked off the 2023/2024 Pennsylvania Budget Hearings, so far, hearing from our Department of Education, state-related universities, community colleges, PHEAA, and PASSHE. We spoke to Education on what the department foresees as a good budget considering the education funding lawsuit. Are the investments in state universities and community colleges paying off? How can we make sure Pennsylvania students are offered the best deal for higher education and retain these individuals to ensure our economy continues to grow.
I asked Education how it plans on promoting public libraries and furthering library community services if we assume they will be level funded again this year. Our public libraries are often becoming community spaces where neighbors can access internet, educational materials, career advancement services and so much more, and we must work to keep these spaces open and available. I also made sure to highlight the need for temporarily extending the maximum school age for students with disabilities who lost of years of educational training during COVID and will need that time as they progress through their education.
If you are interested in keeping up with the budget talks, make sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and watch the hearings live at pahouse.com/live.
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| At the beginning of the pandemic, under the federal public health emergency declaration, states were eligible to receive enhanced federal Medicaid funding if the state maintained people's Medicaid coverage without requiring people to renew their coverage. This became known as
"continuous coverage." Now that the public health emergency declaration was lifted, the continuous coverage is now ending, meaning individuals will need to resume the renewal process they performed pre-pandemic. All households and individuals covered by Medicaid and CHIP will have the opportunity to renew their coverage. No one will immediately lose coverage.
When it is time those who are covered by Medicaid and CHIP will receive a renewal packet in the mail, 90 days before it is due. Make sure to complete and return all renewal forms. This can be done by mail, online through COMPASS, by phone at 1-866-550-4355, or in person at any local county assistance office.
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| Last week I announced grant funding for projects across our community to enhance storm water drainage, transportation safety, and economic development. Grants will be distributed to Trappe, Upper Providence, and Collegeville by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. Click here for the press release.
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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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