Dear Neighbor, I hope you are well! I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on several happenings in the district and in Harrisburg. As always, I hope you find this informative and useful. 

National Voter Registration Day

Tuesday, September 28, was National Voter Registration Day. If you have not already done so, it is not too late to register for the upcoming 2021 Municipal Election on November 2. The last day to register to vote is October 18 and the last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot is October 26.

Remember, since the Municipal Elections are local elections, they have the greatest impact in your community and schools. Make Your Mark. Make an Impact. You can register, update your voter status, apply for mail-in / absentee ballots and more when you visit http://vote.pa.gov/.

New Legislation

This week I introduced four bills and a resolution to the House of Representatives.

HB 1913 – We must ensure that our residents are receiving accurate information and updates when it comes to our elections. This bill would require county boards of elections to maintain a publicly accessible internet website with a .gov top-level domain. A .gov domain would help residents clearly identify that they are using a trusted and secure website regarding their elections.

HB 1914 – Some constituents are involved in legal disputes regarding their oil or gas lease contracts because the contracts are lengthy and filled with legal terms that often confuse or mislead those entering the contract. Under this legislation, oil and gas contracts would have to pass a readability test to ensure that contracts are easy to read and understood as well as include definitions to industry-specific terms and be signed in the presence of a notary public.

HB 1915 – While many schools throughout the commonwealth need infrastructure updates, the total cost is unknown. That’s why this bill would create a one-time survey, available to every school district to report their deferred, current, and anticipated capital needs. The Pennsylvania Department of Education would compile and report total infrastructure requirements of schools to the General Assembly. As we move forward, we would have a better understanding of the needs of our schools and how to support them.

HB 1916 - Far too often, the responsibility of staffing polling places is deferred to our older community members. During the 2020 General Election we saw staffing issues because our older community members were concerned about COVID and did not want to risk infection. This legislation will provide county boards of elections with the option to recruit qualified individuals for poll worker service, like the way we currently summon individuals to report for jury duty, if polling places face a volunteer shortage.

HR 143 – Public school student transportation has becoming an increasingly expensive part of every school district’s budget. This House Resolution would direct the State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of the viability, benefits, & costs of establishing a consolidated, county-led busing of all private and public school students.

COVID-19 booster shot

Montco is now scheduling Pfizer booster shots for those at highest risk for COVID-19. If you are unsure if you qualify, please refer below:

-People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings

should receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after receiving the second dose of Pfizer vaccine.

-People ages 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after receiving the second dose of Pfizer vaccine.

-People ages 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after receiving the second dose of Pfizer vaccine, based on their individual benefits and risks.

-People ages 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after receiving the second dose of Pfizer vaccine, based on their individual benefits and risks.

To be eligible for the booster shot you must have received the Pfizer first and second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at least six months ago, according to the CDC.

You can schedule your free appointment at http://www.montcopa.org/COVID-19Vaccine.

Please remember to continue wearing masks and get fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Extension of Regulatory Waivers

On Wednesday, HB 1861 was voted on concurrence in the House after being voted on in the Senate.

This piece of legislation was essential as it extended several regulatory waivers instituted early in the COVID crisis. Some of these extensions are crucial as we continue the fight against this deadly, and highly infectious disease. These extensions include flexibility to help healthcare and nursing home personnel.

Standing in Support

This past Monday and Tuesday I joined my colleagues in supporting Diaper Need Awareness week and SB 240, the Patient Safety Act.

One in every three families finds it difficult to provide diapers for their children. As representatives in Harrisburg are collecting diapers this week for their constituents, I would implore you to support locally and donate to Mitzvah Circle, Daily Bread Community Food Pantry, and St. James Episcopal Church.

SB 240 or the Patient Safety Act will help protect nurses and patients by helping to establish safe patient protocols to ensure patients receive the best care possible. 

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 RepWebster@pahouse.net.