Important Updates/Highlights

Transit Funding Press Conference

Tune in to our press conference at 10 a.m. this Friday, August 8, at North Wales SEPTA Station, as my Democratic colleagues and I discuss how transit cuts will deeply impact our communities in Pennsylvania and call on the state Senate to act, because the clock is ticking. You can find my full press release by clicking here.

If the Senate fails to deliver funding for SEPTA and our Commonwealth’s transit systems by August 14, the proposed cuts will go into effect 10 days later on August 24. Even if a funding package passes after August 14, the cuts will continue to move forward until SEPTA is able to restore what has already been set in motion. It’s not an easy fix, that’s why it’s important the Senate passes it before the deadline.

By the end of the month, we will see a 20% service cut implemented, including the elimination of 32 bus routes and the end of special services like the sports express. And by January 1, 2026, five train lines will be gone, 18 more bus lines, a 9 p.m. curfew will be issued on rail services, and we’ll be months into a 21.5% fare increase. In our district, routes 93, 99 and 131 will each see a 20% service reduction in critical areas along Ridge Pike, Collegeville Road, Egypt Road, with stops that include Ursinus College, the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center and more places. This is real, folks.

Livestream link: www.youtube.com/live/uWBSyufxDFo

Summer Collection Drive

Friends, we’re almost a week away from the end of my 2025 Summer Collection Drive, and we’re still in need of donations! Through August 15, we’re collecting canned foods, paper products, personal care items, school supplies for the fall and more for St. James Outreach House, Daily Bread Community Food Pantry and Spring-Ford Project Outreach. Please take a look at the list on the graphic for some of the most needed items.

You can drop off donations at my office 35 Evansburg Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, and either of the following locations.

Lower Providence Township Building

100 Parklane Drive, Eagleville, PA

West Norriton Township Building

1630 W. Marshall Street, Jeffersonville, PA

Upper Providence Township Building

1286 Black Rock Road, Phoenixville, PA

State Budget Update

Transit funding isn’t the only thing the Senate is holding back, it’s also our entire state budget! My colleagues and I in the House did our part: we negotiated, voted and sent it over to the state Senate. Yet our fiscal year began over a month ago without a budget in place.

As we continue to move forward without one, we’re putting critical services in jeopardy like mental and behavioral health, child protection, intellectual disability support, drug and alcohol treatment, assistance for individuals experiencing homeless and more.

I’m calling on my Senate Republican colleagues to end their recess, return to Harrisburg to do their job and pass a full state budget that includes the needs for our transit systems and critical services I listed above. I urge you to contact them and do the same.

Helpful Information

Growing Greener Grant

Heads up! The 2026 Growing Greener grant program will begin accepting applications from April 2026 through June 2026. This gives municipalities and groups time to identify and plan for future projects related to the Perkiomen Mapping and Flood Mitigation Plan. The 2025 cycle required a 5% match and permitted funding up to $500,000.

A successful grant application takes time! The project needs to be identified, and planning needs to progress to the point of identifying the problem and the recommended solution. As we wrap up the PM&FM Plan, we will provide planning level guidance for the 20 locations identified in the Phase 1 recommendations. Many of the project mitigations include “Upstream Basin Additions/Modifications” or better volume controls and additional stormwater infiltration. These mitigation actions may require coordination among several municipalities along their common creek segment. One of the Growing Greener Priority Project Examples is “Innovative BMP projects in MS4 communities”.

The PM&FM Plan’s Phase 1 recommendations will be available in the coming weeks. Now is the time to start discussions about how to begin implementing these recommendations. If you have an idea for how this program could be implemented in our community, please feel free to reach out to my office at 484-200-8263 or your own municipal government!

For more information about Growing Greener Grants go to www.dep.pa.gov and search for “Growing Greener.”

Property Tax/Rent Rebate

Reminder! The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program deadline has been extended to December 31, 2025. This program, which is eligible to older adults and people with disabilities 18 years or older, supports homeowners and renters across PA with rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000.

The forms are available for pick up in my district office! If you need assistance filling out an application, please call ahead to schedule an appointment.

For more information, other ways to apply, and to check your eligibility please visit: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/revenue/incentives-credits-and-programs/ptrr.html

Coatesville VA Suicide Prevention Run

Neighbors, make sure you save the date. The Coatesville VA is hosting a Suicide Prevention 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, September 6, 2025, to raise awareness for Veteran suicide prevention.

The 5K will be held at the Coatesville VA Medical Center, 1400 Blackhorse Hill Road, Coatesville, PA 19320 Lot D. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the race kicks off at 9 a.m. The event is free for any Veteran or active duty service member, but all are welcome with a registration fee.

To sign up or find out more information, click here: Coatesville VA Strides to Prevent Suicide 5K Run/Walk

Norristown Free Summer Meal Kits

Norristown Area School District is offering free summer meal kits to help keep Norristown students healthy and energized throughout the summer. Each meal kit has five days worth of breakfast and lunch items, and is available for pick up for all NASD students 18 and under, no registration required!

The final distribution date is tomorrow, August 7. Listed below are pick up locations and times and a link to the website for more information.

Locations:

Simmons/Martin Luther King Jr. Park Complex

E. Oak Street, Norristown, PA

11 a.m. (Walk-up only)

Blockson Middle School

1315 W. Marshall Street, Norristown, PA

12 p.m. (Walk-up & drive-up)

Website: www.nasd.k12.pa.us/page/food-services

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

Summer Concerts in the Park: The Large Flowerheads from Lower Providence Township

Sunday, August 10, at 6 p.m.

Eagleville Park, 100 Parklane Drive, Norristown, PA

Music in the Park: Family Stages: Robin Hood from Upper Providence Township

Wednesday, August 13, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Anderson Farm Park, Natural Amphitheater, 499 Hopwood Road, Collegeville, PA

UP! Music Fest from Upper Providence Township

Saturday, August 16, from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Anderson Farm Park, Natural Amphitheater, 499 Hopwood Road, Collegeville, PA

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