Pa. state Rep. Joanna McClinton was elected by her Democratic colleagues as the House Democratic Leader for the 2021-22 legislative session. She is the first Black woman to lead any Caucus in Pennsylvania, and the first woman to be a Floor Leader in the House. Read more
STATE COLLEGE, May 11 – The workers who have been hit hardest by the pandemic need support. The PA House Democratic leadership team is hosting a rally Wednesday to make the case for workers’ rights to a fair wage, hazard pay and paid family and sick leave and how the PA Rescue plan would do just that. The rally will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 12 at The Borough Building, 243 S. Allen St., State College . The media is encouraged to attend. The PA Rescue Plan includes more than $1.5 billion for job training, hazard pay, wage boosts for direct-care workers and job creation efforts to kickstart the economy in communities across the state. The PRP aims to ensure federal American Rescue Plan funding is invested for immediate impact and long-term success. Additional information about the plan is available at www.pahouse.com/parescueplan . Read more
PITTSBURGH, May 11 – The need for affording housing is a need only exacerbated by the pandemic and Allegheny County Delegation Chairman Austin Davis today hosted a hearing to discuss how the PA Rescue Plan would invest federal funding to bring relief to homeowners and renters. “Wages have not kept up with the rise in housing costs. With the oldest housing stock in the country and a minimum wage that remains stagnant, Pennsylvanians need us to take action in Harrisburg. Today, we learned how the PA Rescue Plan funding would be helpful and the legislative actions we can take to empower local municipalities so that state and local governments and developers can work together to solve this problem.” Testifiers included Larry Swanson, executive director of Action Housing; and Robert Damewood, staff attorney for Regional Housing Legal Services. Swanson advocated for affordable housing assistance as lender forbearance programs come to an end this summer. Damewood shared that over 299,000 Pennsylvania families cannot afford rent and the state desperately needs expansion of affordable, safe and stable housing. He called on the legislature to apply rights in the Manufactured Homes Community Rights Act to renters across the board. “Housing is a human right, period, and the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the fact that too many Pennsylvanians can’t afford to stay in their homes, especially in our communities of color,” said House Democratic Read more
PHILADELPHIA, May 10 – House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton today hosted a public hearing highlighting her caucus’s proposal to invest federal funding to help Pennsylvania recover, restore and reimagine, starting with investments in green collar jobs. The House Democratic Policy Committee hearing, held at the Community College of Philadelphia, focused on investments in clean energy and how the proposed $50 million investment would get Pennsylvanians back to work in jobs that pay livable wages. The committee heard testimony from: Dr. Donald Guy Generals, president, Community College of Philadelphia; Michael Neill, apprentice training director, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 98; Brian Myers, assistant apprentice training director, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 98; and Anna Shipp, executive director, Green Stormwater Infrastructure Partners, Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia. “Green collar jobs are high-tech, high-wage and the fastest-growing career sector in any industry,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “By investing in the clean energy industry and supporting job training to get workers on the job, the PA Rescue Plan is creating a greener future in more ways than one.” State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, chairman of the Policy Committee added, “The last year doesn’t have to cripple our future. We can use federal dollars to help make Pennsylvania a leader in Read more
PHILADELPHIA, May 6 – The Community College of Philadelphia will serve as the backdrop for a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing hosted by Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton on The PA Rescue Plan: Powering Green Collar Jobs. The hearing will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, May 10 at the Community College of Philadelphia, P avilion Building,-- located at 1700 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia . Press and attendees should enter in front of the building on 17th St. The PA Rescue Plan aims to ensure federal American Rescue Plan funding is invested for immediate impact and long-term success. Additional information about the plan is available at www.pahouse.com/parescueplan . Read more
HARRISBURG, May 5 – After weeks of gathering public support for the Pennsylvania Rescue Plan to invest federal dollars to do the most good for working families, the House Democratic Leadership team released the following statement on the next steps to discuss the plan and how it would help us recover, restore and reimagine a better future coming back from COVID-19. “Next week more than $7 billion is coming to the Keystone State as part of the American Rescue Plan, and we have to make sure that money is invested properly, not hidden away in a government vault for a rainy day – because it’s hard to imagine a storm that could hit harder than COVID-19. People need help now. “As USA TODAY network coverage noted, House Democrats have a plan that helps schools, workers, businesses, families, renters, landlords and more while Republicans have no plan to distribute the funds. We urge the majority party to get on board and do the right thing for people everywhere. “We’ve received an overwhelming response to the PA Rescue Plan so far, and next week we’ll be taking the plan to the people with a statewide tour – starting Monday in Philadelphia and Reading talking about investing in infrastructure and rebuilding our downtowns, continuing Tuesday in Pittsburgh and Erie discussing housing, Wednesday in Harrisburg and State College talking worker pay, and finishing up on Thursday in Scranton and Allentown to discuss helping Read more
House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton is applauding the collaborative effort that brought the first COVID-19 vaccine clinic to southwest Philadelphia today. McClinton’s office joined the offices of state Sen. Anthony Williams and city Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson along with Congressman Dwight Evans and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon at the New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, where Rite Aid administered the Moderna vaccine to roughly 55 people, adding to the more than 1.2 million doses that have been given in Philadelphia. “The COVID-19 vaccine is key to helping us build real immunity, protect each other from the virus and get on the pathway to normalcy. Today’s clinic was the latest effort to ensure our communities of color have access to this critical opportunity,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “Our office is blessed to work with dedicated community partners and leaders who share our commitment to put the health of our neighbors first and make events like this possible.” Along with the vaccine, McClinton is also fighting to help her communities make it through the pandemic safely by pushing the House Democrats’ PA Rescue Plan that would ensure the more than $7 billion in federal funds allocated to the commonwealth through the American Rescue Plan gets to the people hardest hit by this health crisis. “Our initiative would invest in our local businesses, working families, schools Read more
From voting reminders and COVID-19 assistance to the latest happenings in Harrisburg and across the community, House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton's spring newsletter includes important resources for the people she serves. Readers can find the Philly version here and the Delco version here . As a reminder, if individuals have questions or concerns regarding a state-related matter, please contact McClinton’s office: (215) 748-6712. Read more
In her ongoing efforts to protect her communities during this health crisis, House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton is stressing how important the COVID-19 vaccine is to building real immunity to the virus and moving Pennsylvania past this pandemic safely. Read more
In her ongoing effort to revitalize local outdoor spaces, state Rep. Joanna McClinton announced today that $170,947 in state grants is going to improve Cobbs Creek and Robert Wilson III parks in Philadelphia. McClinton said this funding is part of the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program and will be distributed as follows: $85,000 to extend the Cobbs Creek Trail to connect Cobbs Creek Park at Woodland Avenue to Wheeler Street, which will ultimately connect several communities with the trail; an environmental center; a historic cemetery; a revolutionary era landmark; and eventually two more recreation centers and a national wildlife refuge. $85,947 to update Robert Wilson III Park, also known as 61 st and Baltimore Avenue Playground, which includes replacing the existing basketball court and player benches. “Investing in our community parks and green spaces is a key step in providing our neighbors with safe places to spend time with their family and friends,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “These kinds of improvements will also offer our young people the incentive and opportunity to get outside and be productive as we head into the summer months.” The Commonwealth Financing Authority is an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development focused on fostering economic growth. More information about these grants can be found on Read more
Pennsylvanians looking for relief from the hardships of the past year can look to the House Democrats’ Pennsylvania Rescue Plan for solutions that do the most good for the most people. The House Democratic Leadership team released the following statement on how the plan would strengthen communities, help working people and support businesses and families: “We have a unique opportunity to drastically improve the lives of millions of Pennsylvanians with smart investments in people, businesses, health care and our workforce. The Pennsylvania Rescue Plan does just that by directing federal funds to help businesses get back on solid ground, invest in our frontline workers who were essential to getting us through the pandemic, repair our crumbling public schools so students can learn and teachers can teach in a non-toxic environment and strengthen our workforce through training tomorrow’s in-demand employees. Read more
In her ongoing effort to keep her communities informed during the pandemic, House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton and her staff are pinpointing where and how their neighbors can access the COVID-19 vaccine: Philadelphia City of Philadelphia Vaccine Interest Form Website: https://covid-vaccine-interest.phila.gov/ Phone Number: 311 or (215) 685-5488 Email: covid@phila.gov Neighborhood Pharmacy Location: 5701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19139 Website: https://www.neighborhoodpharmacyrx.com Phone: (215) 307-3609 Sayre Health Center Location: Tabernacle Lutheran Church, located at 5843 Spruce St. Philadelphia, PA 19139. Main Phone: (215) 474-4444 University of Pennsylvania Vaccine Interest Form https://vax.pennmedicine.org/?_ga=2.31020216.681626253.1615385208-61616808.1613513487 Phone: 800-789-7366 Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium Website: https://blackdoctorsconsortium.com/free-covid-19-testing/ Location: Liacouras Center 1776 N Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19121 Oak Street Health – Cobbs Creek Office Website: https://www.oakstreethealth.com/covid-19-vaccine Phone: (844) 871-5651) Location: 6232 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 19139 Delaware County Public Drug Prescriptions Location: 6925 Ludlow Read more
The City of Philadelphia has announced PHLRentAssist Phase 4 of the City’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program is now open to landlords and tenants. Phase 4 of the program helps people pay their rent and utilities who have experienced financial hardship because of COVID-19. Previous phases did not include utilities, only rent. PHDC , the City’s housing and community development non-profit, will continue to administer this program. Landlords and tenants can apply until funds run out. More information can be found on the city's website here . In the meantime, Delaware County launched its emergency rental assistance grant program. Details about eligibility requirements and how to apply here. Read more
House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton partnered with Walmart to secure and present $2,000 grant checks this afternoon outside of her office in Southwest Philadelphia to four local nonprofits. McClinton said the funding was made possible through Walmart’s Local Community Grants program and went to the following organizations: The Common Place. African Cultural Alliance of North America. Greater Hope Ministries. The Black Brain Campaign. “My top priority is and has always been the health and safety of my neighbors, and I’m blessed to have local organizations who share my commitment – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “From critical resources and mental health help to educational and emotional support, these nonprofits are the boots on the ground working tirelessly to put our most vulnerable communities first. Investing in their success is investing in the success of Southwest Philly.” “The Walmart Foundation is proud to support these organizations in Philadelphia,” said Jason Klipa, director of public affairs and government relations for Walmart. “They are doing excellent work in their communities and one of the core pillars of Walmart is to help give back in the communities we serve.” McClinton previously worked with Walmart to present $6,000 in grant funding in December to Read more
HARRISBURG, March 29 – Responding to the Capitol insurrection in January and the signing of new restrictions on voting rights last week in Georgia, House Democrats are taking action to protect American democracy. Today, a website was launched that summarizes policy proposals to defend democracy as well as links to more information and the ability for people to quickly email their elected officials, noting their support of the bills. The House Democratic Caucus has been working on these proposals since a House Democratic Policy Committee Hearing in January, when members were briefed by legal scholars, hate crimes experts and members of Congress on the language of false conspiracy and election fraud being used to undermine democracy. That same language has shifted from encouraging outright attack to what many perceive as insidiously undermining basic voting rights. “We cannot allow the outrage and disgust of the American people watching an armed invasion of our government to be subverted by a slick rebranding into attacks on our right to fair and free elections” Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro said. Members of the House Democratic Caucus have introduced dozens of measures to expand voting rights, preserve election security, protect access to mail-in ballots and polling places, and to clarify and consolidate the often-outdated Election Code. Bizzarro said the site – www.pahouse.com/policy/defendingdemocracy -- will serve as a great Read more
To commemorate Women's History Month and in the face of attacks on voting rights, please enjoy this lively discussion on Women Win the Vote Read more
Pa. House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton joined Rep. Patty Kim and many other colleagues from the House to call for passage of anti hate crime legislation. McClinton pointed out that Rep. Kim is the only Asian American legislator in the Pa. House and thanked her for taking a stand against the racism and hate currently plaguing our country and the AAPI community in particular. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 24 – House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton recently appointed Courtney Richardson to the board of the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, the state-appointed group that provides financial oversight for the city of Philadelphia. “Ms. Richardson’s background and training prepared her well for this role,” McClinton said. “She grew up in the Mount Airy neighborhood and graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls. She’s a practicing attorney focusing on municipal and real estate law in Montgomery and Delaware counties, so she is able to see issues from the perspective of both Philadelphia and its suburban neighbors. “Before she began private practice, Ms. Richardson served as counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and then as assistant city solicitor in Philadelphia,” McClinton added. Richardson has an extensive background in financial and governmental service. She started her career as a stockbroker and investment advisor at Merrill Lynch and she currently serves on executive board of the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.A. in philosophy and then from West Virginia University College of Law as a distinguished member of the Order of the Barristers. She received an LL.M. in taxation from Temple University Beasley School of Law. Richardson is a member Read more
With time running out to provide a chance at justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse through an emergency constitutional amendment, the House Democratic leadership team released the following statement calling on Republican leadership to commit to bringing the measure up for a vote on Monday:“In early February, Republican leadership made a public promise on the House floor to get an emergency constitutional amendment to the Senate and provide a chance at justice to the survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Due to their wavering and inaction this week, we’re now dangerously close to running out of time to get this in front of Pennsylvanians in the May Primary Election. Read more
House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton is applauding a $75,000 state grant awarded to help the nonprofit organization The Common Place enhance safety precautions at its facility that serves children and families in southwest Philadelphia. McClinton said the funding was made possible through the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, and can be used for various security improvements, including: Safety and security planning. Security-related technology, such as metal detectors, protective lighting and surveillance equipment. Threat awareness and response training. “The Common Place is a critical resource that provides care and assistance to so many across southwest Philly,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “Investing in their safety is investing in the safety of our young people and the families who turn to the nonprofit for educational, social and spiritual support. I will continue working to secure funding for The Common Place and other local organizations like it that play crucial roles in moving our neighborhoods forward.” McClinton added the grant for The Common Place was part of just over $5 million announced yesterday by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to fund security enhancement projects for 130 churches, synagogues and other nonprofit organizations serving diverse communities across Pennsylvania. More information Read more
HARRISBURG, 4 de Marzo - Como residente de Filadelfia de toda la vida, Joanna McClinton solía utilizar los trenes y autobuses de SEPTA y comprende las muchas maneras en que el transporte público apoya vidas e industrias en toda la región. En su nueva capacidad como líder del Caucus Demócrata de la Cámara de Representantes de Pensilvania, McClinton nombró al líder sindical de Filadelfia, Esteban Vera Jr., como miembro de la junta de gobierno de SEPTA. Es el primer latino en servir en la junta. “Las personas a las que represento dependen todos los días de los servicios de SEPTA para llegar a sus trabajos, escuelas, citas médicas, realizar compras y, a pesar de los enormes desafíos durante la pandemia, SEPTA ha continuado estando ahí para las personas que dependen de él”, dijo McClinton. “Esteban Vera Jr. le agrega una perspectiva importante al liderazgo de SEPTA, tanto como el primer latino en ser gerente comercial del Local de Obreros # 57 por los pasados cinco años. Antes de eso trabajó en construcción y organizando. ”, dijo McClinton. Vera Jr. creció en el norte de Filadelfia y es un veterano del ejército de los Estados Unidos que sirvió en Bosnia en la década de 1990. El otoño pasado apareció en Al Dia como "el campeón laboral latino de Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form your are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates. Aw yeah!
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email Rep. Joanna E. McClinton.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.
Oh no! It seems cookies are not enabled for your browser. This site unfortunatly uses cookies to help provide you with a customized experience on the site. Please enable cookies to allow your experience to be customized. Thank you.
52 South 60 St.Philadelphia, PA 19139
P*: (215) 748-6712
F*: (215) 748-1687
Hours of Operation - 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
423 Main CapitolPO Box 202191Harrisburg, PA 17120
P*: (717) 772-9850
F*: (717) 783-1516