Important Updates/Highlights

Mitzvah Circle

Mitzvah Circle Foundation, a Montgomery County nonprofit that partners with hundreds of schools, charities, faith groups, agencies, organizations and individuals to provide relief to families in crisis throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, suffered a fire last week. The damage affected a significant number of donations that were set to be distributed throughout the region. Members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate have offered to serve as donation drop-off points to help replenish the most urgent needs.

- Sneakers, all sizes, women's, men's and children's (can be new or gently used)
- Women's, men's, and boys' underwear (new)
- Toiletries (new)
- Baby items (new)

Please contact my office with any questions, and feel free to stop by with donations Monday through Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 35 Evansburg Road.

Transit Funding & State Budget Statement

We are now past the Aug. 14 deadline to prevent SEPTA service cuts and interruptions. By Aug. 24, a 20% service reduction will take effect — and that’s just the start. More cuts will follow shortly thereafter. What Pennsylvania Senate Republicans have done is basic malpractice. The House passed transit funding five times, and five times this mass transit crisis across Pennsylvania could have been avoided.

The House has also passed multiple versions of the state budget based on input from the Senate, gathered through discussions with the House and the Governor’s Office. The current version the Senate produced not only strays from its previously stated goals but also fails to meet the basic requirements of Pennsylvania’s state budget. They have had this on their desks since Gov. Shapiro delivered his proposal in February, and the House sent its latest version to the Senate on July 14 — a version that would adequately fund our schools, provide for health services, support disability services and fund mass transit.

Instead of working to pass a state budget and transit funding, the Senate went into recess for a month. And when they returned, on the eve of SEPTA’s deadline, they produced a budget and funding proposal that were each inadequate to meet the needs and obligations of the people of our commonwealth. What they sent to the House is bad for our schools, bad for businesses, bad for mass transit and bad for 2026, which is rapidly approaching.

When the Senate is serious about moving an appropriate budget forward, my colleagues in the House and I will be ready to have that conversation.

Community Cares

This week, members of my staff and staff from Mission Kids kicked off Community Cares, a new program we developed together to pilot this school year in Methacton School District. A cohort of 50 high school juniors and seniors attended leadership training on Ursinus College's beautiful campus to explore ways to empower respectful, safe, and inclusive schools.

Throughout the school year, these high school leaders will receive training from our partner organizations on a variety of topics. Once prepared, they will mentor the 6th grade class at Skyview Upper Elementary and the seventh-grade class at Arcola Intermediate School, sharing what they have learned. This year's partner organizations are The Arc Alliance, Laurel House, Mission Kids, Victim Services Center of Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Meredith Frank, professor of communication studies at Montgomery County Community College.

Thank you to the community leaders who so graciously contributed their time and talent to inspiring and instructing the Methacton 2025-2026 Community Cares cohort!

The Rev. Mayor Aidsand Wright-Riggins, Mayor of Collegeville Borough
Fran Held, Director of Mitzvah Circle Foundation
Dr. Josh Weikert, Policy Director for Pennsylvania State Rep. Joe Webster
Dr. Che Regina, Methacton School District Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Jamie Gravinese, Methacton School District Director of Pupil Services
Kimberly Plummer, Director of Children’s Services at Central Behavioral Health
Meredith Frank, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Montgomery County Community College
Shannon Peffer, President of the Methacton Education Foundation
Carly Morris, Mission Kids Community Prevention Educator
Jenn Capone, Mission Kids Community Prevention Educator
Lola Quigley, Mission Kids Community Prevention Educator
Veronica Trejo, Mission Kids Bilingual Community Prevention Educator
Amy Smith, Chief of Staff for Pennsylvania State Rep. Joe Webster
Dr. Janine Darby, Coroner of Montgomery County
Dr. Ashley Wilkerson, Physician at Nemours Children’s Hospital
Dr. Robyn Hannigan, President of Ursinus College
Dr. Gundolf Graml, Provost of Ursinus College
Todd McKinney, Senior Director of Inclusion and Belonging at Ursinus College
Angela McFarland, Founder and Director of Coffee Closet with Barista Jake
Jacob McFarland, Founder and Manager of Coffee Closet with Barista Jake
Pooja Chanda, Methacton School District School Board Director

Summer Collection Drive Recap

I want to thank everyone who donated to my 2025 Summer Collection Drive. Now more than ever, it’s important that we come together to support our neighbors in need, and it was amazing to see how many donations came through the door at my office and the drop-off locations across the community. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

This week, all collected items will be donated to St. James Outreach House, Spring-Ford Project Outreach and Daily Bread Community Food Pantry.

Special thanks to Upper Providence, Lower Providence and West Norriton for serving as drop-off locations!

House Fellowship Program Applications

The Pennsylvania House Fellowship Program is now accepting applications for the Spring 2026 semester (January – April). This program is based in the Pennsylvania Capitol Building in Harrisburg, and fellows will be assigned to work in House Standing Committees or House Leadership Offices.

Qualified applicants are as follows:

College undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students, or law school students;

Enrolled in a Pennsylvania college/university, or a Pennsylvania resident enrolled in an out-of-state institution; and

Pursuing any major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Applications are due by Wednesday, October 1, 2025, and can be emailed to [email protected]

More information can be found at http://www.pahousefellowship.us/

Court of Honor

Over the weekend, Crystal Gilchrist, a member of my staff, was pleased to present Taylor Grater IV, Gavin Lamont and Michael Wright with citations for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

Each Scout earned this honor after completing a service project: Taylor restored a meeting area in Evansburg State Park, Gavin restored and painted the historic cast-iron fence at Dewees Tavern for Historic Trappe, and Michael built and installed benches for the Perkiomen Valley School District. Congratulations!

Helpful Information

Friends, the Early Learning Resource Center Region 17 is giving out free backpacks and school supplies to students for the upcoming school year.

To receive a backpack or school supplies, stop by ELRC’s office at 1430 Dekalb Street, Norristown, or call their office at 610-278-3707.

Supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis!

QPR Training

QPR: Suicide Awareness is an upcoming seminar from Upper Providence Township Police Department and Montgomery County Department of Human Services. This free program for adults 18 and older will teach skills to identify and help someone showing warning signs of suicide.

When: On Thursday, October 23, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Upper Providence Township Meeting Hall

Property Tax/Rent Rebate

Reminder: The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program deadline has been extended to Dec. 31, 2025. This program, available to older adults and people with disabilities aged 18 and older, helps homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania with rebates ranging from $380 to $1,000.

Forms are available for pick-up at my district office. If you need assistance completing an application, please call ahead to schedule an appointment.

For more information, additional 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 to save the date! The Coatesville VA is hosting a Suicide Prevention 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, to raise awareness for veteran suicide prevention. The 5K will take place 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 starts at 9 a.m.

The event is free for veterans and active-duty service members, but all are welcome to participate with a registration fee.

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

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

Butterfly Celebration from Upper Schuylkill Valley Park

Saturday, August 23, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

1615 Black Rock Road, Royersford, PA

Family Movie Night – Despicable Me 4 from West Norriton Township

Saturday, August 23, at 7:30 p.m.

Padden Park, 2101 Oakland Drive, West Norriton, PA

Al Laskey Memorial 33rd Annual Auto Show from Perkiomen Township Fire Company

Sunday, August 24, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Perkiomen Valley School District Campus, Route 29 & Trappe Road, Collegeville, PA

Summer Concerts in the Park – Super UnLEDed from Lower Providence Township

Saturday, August 24, at 6 p.m.

Eagleville Park, 100 Parklane Drive, Norristown, PA

Music in the Park – Family Stages: Swifti & the Midnights from Upper Providence Township

Wednesday, August 27, from 6 p.m. - 8 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