Harris applauds RACP for African Cultural Alliance of North America

(Dec 23, 2020)

Noting the importance of equal opportunity for necessary services for the African American population in Philadelphia, state Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Phila., House Democratic Whip, announced the approval of a $3 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant for the African Cultural Alliance of North America. Read more

 

House Democrats back Gov. Wolf’s business support plan, demand more help for renters facing eviction amid current COVID-19 surge

(Dec 23, 2020)

HARRISBURG, Dec. 23 – House Democratic leaders pledged support for Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to transfer $145 million in funds to directly help businesses across the state hit hard by the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, while also renewing their call to support families facing eviction. This as Republicans redirected $108 million in CARES Act money intended to help renters and homeowners to instead offset costs from the Department of Corrections. “Since before this terrible pandemic started, we’ve been fighting to help people in our communities, including small businesses and the people who work at and rely on those businesses. So, today’s announcement from the governor is definitely welcome,” Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Delaware/Phila., said. “But we know that businesses can’t succeed without customers, and people who are forced to put most of their income into housing expenses can’t afford to be customers. A rising tide should lift all boats, so House Democrats are also committed to ensuring that money is made available as soon as possible to help those struggling to pay their rent. We cannot leave them behind.” “We’ve been telling people they can save lives and save local businesses by staying home and ordering in, but you can’t deliver a meal to someone who doesn’t have a home address,” House Democratic Whip Jordan Harris, D-Phila., said. “The Read more

 

House Democrats fight for safety and common sense

(Dec 23, 2020)

HARRISBURG, Dec. 23 – House Democratic leaders announced the introduction of new operating rules for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to adopt when the 2021-22 legislative session begins on Tuesday, Jan. 5. These proposed rules prioritize the safety of the public and communities while ensuring that legislators are able to continue to serve all Pennsylvanians. As we ask workers at every level to mask up and do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19, we must do the same ourselves, Democratic leaders said. Democrats’ proposed temporary rules to help mitigate the virus include: Requiring all members to wear masks over the mouth and nose in accordance with CDC guidelines while conducting official business, including during House session and committee meetings. If a legitimate medical condition precludes a member from wearing a traditional cloth mask, a plastic full-face shield would be required. Mask-wearing was recommended in 2020 by the PA House Bipartisan Management Committee, but never became a House rule and was subsequently disregarded by many Republicans. Requiring all members to have their temperature checked before in-person attendance at committee meetings or on the House floor. Ensuring full transparency and full representation of all Pennsylvanians by giving all members, including those not physically present, the ability to use video conferencing to speak on bills and be heard by the full body, as the Pennsylvania Read more

 

The election is over, and COVID-19 is surging. Where are Harrisburg Republicans?

(Dec 21, 2020)

We are at a crossroads as a commonwealth and a nation as we battle the most serious and deadly surge of coronavirus cases to date. Despite a White House that has focused all its attention on making baseless claims to undermine election results, the CDC continues to urge Americans to avoid gathering this holiday season to slow the spread and save lives. It’s a tall order and significant sacrifice for all of us as we grapple with the thought of not seeing friends and family members. It truly didn’t have to be this way if our leaders had worked together from the start. We know the pandemic has been grossly mismanaged at the federal level with disastrous effects. Here at home, Republicans who have held the majority in our state legislature for the last decade have spent 10 months trying every trick in their book to undermine our governor, our health professionals and a preponderance of the medical and scientific evidence that has guided Pennsylvania's pandemic response. Most recently, many have joined President Trump in his fruitless quest to disenfranchise Pennsylvania voters -- landing themselves, once again, on the wrong side of history. Even in Georgia, where President-elect Biden won by a much slimmer margin than in Pennsylvania, GOP legislators resisted the urge to pander to an inflamed mob and, instead, discharged their constitutional duty responsibly and faithfully. They didn’t take part in the Rudy Giuliani traveling COVID super-spreader Read more

 

PA House Dems stand with those impacted by mitigation efforts; call for support and safety in pandemic response

(Dec 11, 2020)

HARRISBURG, Dec. 11 – Following news of the governor’s most recent mitigation efforts and hearing Republicans rebuke these safety efforts, Pennsylvania House Democratic leaders released this statement today: “As cases of COVID-19 surge throughout Pennsylvania and our hospitals become increasingly strained, the decision made by Governor Tom Wolf was a difficult but necessary choice that will undoubtedly save lives. We understand the economic impact this will have on many local businesses and are angry and frustrated that our Republican colleagues, who have held majorities in the House and Senate for years -- and through this pandemic -- continue to choose political gamesmanship over providing meaningful relief to this commonwealth. “We had an opportunity to provide $1.3 billion in relief to those impacted by this pandemic -- to provide relief to farmers, childcare providers, veterans, local restaurants, frontline workers, wineries, breweries, distillers and more. Republican leaders did not bring a single one of those bills to the floor for a vote. Relief funding should be used to set up contingencies for if and when virus mitigation efforts will need to be implemented. Instead, Republican leaders chose to use it to close funding gaps in the budget. “Unfortunately, what was left undone by our colleagues has left these industries floundering again, this time wondering how they will make it through the holidays during a deeply strained time. Read more

 

Harris: $100 million donation from University of Pennsylvania a boon for our students

(Nov 18, 2020)

State Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Phila., House Democratic whip, today applauded the $100 million donation pledged by the University of Pennsylvania to the School District of Philadelphia to help remediate environmental hazards over the next 10 years. “First and foremost, our students deserve a safe, healthy environment to learn and grow, and our educators and support staff deserve the ability to provide an education in an environment that isn’t detrimental to their health,” Harris said. “Unfortunately, far too many of our schools don’t provide that as their failing infrastructure leaves too much risk for students and teachers. Read more

 

Pa. Lawmaker Makes His Push for Legalized Recreational Marijuana

(Nov 16, 2020)

Pennsylvania State Rep. Jordan Harris, a Democrat representing part of Philadelphia, talks to NBC10 @Issue’s Tracy Davidson about why he is making the push for Pennsylvania to legalize recreational marijuana as a way to make money after coronavirus losses. Read more

 

House Democrats elect leaders for upcoming legislative session

(Nov 12, 2020)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 12 – The 90 members of the House Democratic Caucus who won election last week to serve during the 2021-22 session today chose their caucus leaders. Due to the high risk of Covid-19 transmission a number of lawmakers participated in the meeting virtually. Read more

 

Harris praises legislation opening Clean Slate to thousands of Pennsylvanians

(Oct 23, 2020)

State Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Phila., House Democratic Whip, praised House Bill 440, legislation that passed the House today and will open Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate program to hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians. Read more

 

Pennsylvania Democrats work to preserve parts of the Affordable Care Act on the state level

(Oct 01, 2020)

Following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, supporters of the Affordable Care Act across the U.S. have become incredibly anxious about the federal law, which has been argued several times in court in attempts to deem it unconstitutional. Read more

 

Summer 2020 Newsletter

(Aug 28, 2020)

Stay updated with Rep. Harris' Summer 2020 Newsletter. Read more

 

Police Reform Working Group issues statement on House Republican Policy hearing on law enforcement; calls for further legislative action

(Aug 27, 2020)

The Police Reform Working Group, a collection of local and state elected officials and advocates, issued the following statement in response to a Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee hearing on law enforcement interactions with the community:“We appreciate the House Republican Policy Committee shining a light on how law enforcement interacts with communities around the state. This is a necessary discussion that is long overdue and it’s encouraging to hear presenters today acknowledge that police reform is necessary. Read more

 

House members to introduce resolution honoring Congressman John Lewis

(Jul 23, 2020)

HARRISBURG, July 23 – This week, state Reps. Stephen Kinsey, Jordan Harris, and Malcolm Kenyatta, all D-Phila., announced they will be introducing a resolution honoring Congressman John Lewis, who died on July 17. “Congressman Lewis was an integral part of the Civil Rights movement and a leading voice in the advancement of economic and social justice. His life was devoted to activism and advocacy for equal justice in America, and his actions have inspired so many today,” Kinsey said. “The next generation of leaders will continue to follow his legacy and help us achieve the equality that Congressman Lewis pictured.” “Congressman John Lewis was truly a giant of the Civil Rights movement and, beyond that, a moral compass in the United States House of Representatives,” Harris said. “Few have been able to have such a profound effect on the centuries-long struggle for equality and dignity for our Black and brown communities, but Congressman Lewis was a beacon of hope and righteousness that shined through very dark clouds in our nation’s history. It’s an honor to be fraternity brothers with Congressman Lewis in Phi Beta Sigma, and we will ensure his legacy will not be forgotten and, instead, will continue to energize and mobilize generation after generation that will carry on the mantle of this fight.” "The life and service of John Lewis was immensely influential in my own Read more

 

Face the State | PA Department of Education Sec. Pedro Rivera, Rep. Jordan Harris

(Jul 20, 2020)

This week on Face the State we are taking a deeper dive at the reopening of Pennsylvania schools, as part of our Project Education Initiative. Later in the show, Rep. Jordan Harris joins the program with what’s next in the state’s response to COVID-19 and police reform. Read more

 

Police Reform Working Group issues statement on Vice President Pence’s visit with the Fraternal Order of Police

(Jul 09, 2020)

In response to Vice President Mike Pence visiting with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5, the Police Reform Working Group, made up of state and county elected officials and advocates, released the following statement:“As members of the Police Reform Working Group, we believe that the path to achieving community safety and racial justice in Pennsylvania must be two-fold. First, we must improve our current system of policing through accountability, oversight, and tangible policy changes that will diminish instances of police brutality against all citizens, but especially against the Black community. Second, we must work with communities to transform and re-envision policing itself through bold systemic changes that center around those most impacted by police violence and structural racism. Read more

 

They were arrested for having some weed in Pa. Their mugshots still follow them online

(Jul 01, 2020)

For almost 36 straight hours, Justin Stineman said, he lived and partied like a rock star.Stineman, 23, a local rapper from Lititz, Lancaster County, who performs under the name Nexus The League, said his parents were away in Italy. So he decided to play a show and host an after-party, which finally wrapped up on Jan. 22, 2018.Next, Stineman said, he and others dropped his friend off at work in Harrisburg at 7 a.m. Stineman said he was falling asleep on the way back. Later, he said, he went to take a 10-minute nap in the car, which was parked across from his home on East Lincoln Street. Read more

 

Pa. small businesses can apply for ‘grants, not loans’ starting on Tuesday

(Jun 30, 2020)

Starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, the window opens for applications from Pennsylvania small businesses to tap a $225 million grant program that is intended to help them recover their losses from the COVID-19 pandemic and reopen their doors.The COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance program announced earlier this month by Gov. Tom Wolf, will accept applications for 10 days before closing until the second of four rounds of grant distributions begins in early August. Read more

 

Pennsylvania lawmakers advance policing reforms

(Jun 25, 2020)

Pennsylvania lawmakers endorsed bills Wednesday that would overhaul law enforcement hiring, training and use of force procedures in the wake of a national reckoning over police brutality and systemic racism.House Bills 1841 and 1910 sailed through the lower chamber with unanimous support after several impassioned speeches from members of the Black Legislative Caucus – whose floor protest two weeks ago put legislative action into motion. Read more

 

2 Pennsylvania Police Reform Bills Unanimously Pass Through House On ‘Historic Day’

(Jun 25, 2020)

Pennsylvania is taking a first step toward responding to cries for police reform. The bipartisan action comes amid the unrest over the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police.The calls for police reform and accountability are being heard loud and clear as thousands of protesters continue to demonstrate in Philadelphia and throughout the commonwealth. Read more

 

Philadelphia lawmakers lay out path for a ‘Just Recovery’ in Pa.

(Jun 18, 2020)

PHILADELPHIA, June 18 – Philadelphia lawmakers today held a virtual news conference to lay out the steps the Pennsylvania legislature must take to create a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the calls for racial justice demanded by Pennsylvanians across the state are acted on. State Sen. Vince Hughes and state Reps. Jordan Harris and Jason Dawkins each addressed aspects of a plan to ensure a living wage and a fair return to work for all Pennsylvanians, great schools and a superior education for all from pre-school through college; career and technical training; access to quality health care and testing; a roof over every head; tax cuts for working families to ensure no one is taxed into poverty; and safe voting options and integrity to guarantee every voice is heard and every vote is counted. The lawmakers said all of these things should be available to all Pennsylvanians, especially marginalized communities that have suffered most during the COVID-19 pandemic and at the hands of a systemic system of bigotry and racism in not just law enforcement, but also in education, health care, housing, wages and working conditions. “The current crisis, both the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil unrest stemming from systemic racism, have shown that the way things were simply wasn’t working for too many Pennsylvanians,” Harris said. “We can’t go back to a broken system. Instead, we must reform nearly all aspects of our Read more

 

Harris applauds RACP for African Cultural Alliance of North America
Dec 23, 2020

House Democrats back Gov. Wolf’s business support plan, demand more help for renters facing eviction amid current COVID-19 surge
Dec 23, 2020

House Democrats fight for safety and common sense
Dec 23, 2020

The election is over, and COVID-19 is surging. Where are Harrisburg Republicans?
Dec 21, 2020

PA House Dems stand with those impacted by mitigation efforts; call for support and safety in pandemic response
Dec 11, 2020

Harris: $100 million donation from University of Pennsylvania a boon for our students
Nov 18, 2020

Pa. Lawmaker Makes His Push for Legalized Recreational Marijuana
Nov 16, 2020

House Democrats elect leaders for upcoming legislative session
Nov 12, 2020

Harris praises legislation opening Clean Slate to thousands of Pennsylvanians
Oct 23, 2020

Pennsylvania Democrats work to preserve parts of the Affordable Care Act on the state level
Oct 01, 2020

Summer 2020 Newsletter
Aug 28, 2020

Police Reform Working Group issues statement on House Republican Policy hearing on law enforcement; calls for further legislative action
Aug 27, 2020

House members to introduce resolution honoring Congressman John Lewis
Jul 23, 2020

Face the State | PA Department of Education Sec. Pedro Rivera, Rep. Jordan Harris
Jul 20, 2020

Police Reform Working Group issues statement on Vice President Pence’s visit with the Fraternal Order of Police
Jul 09, 2020

They were arrested for having some weed in Pa. Their mugshots still follow them online
Jul 01, 2020

Pa. small businesses can apply for ‘grants, not loans’ starting on Tuesday
Jun 30, 2020

Pennsylvania lawmakers advance policing reforms
Jun 25, 2020

2 Pennsylvania Police Reform Bills Unanimously Pass Through House On ‘Historic Day’
Jun 25, 2020

Philadelphia lawmakers lay out path for a ‘Just Recovery’ in Pa.
Jun 18, 2020