HARRISBURG, Aug. 2 -- PA House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton released the following statement today after the PA Supreme Court affirmed that no-excuse mail-in voting is legal and constitutional in Pennsylvania: “Republican attempts to roll back bipartisan improvements in our election law - improvements that eased access and allowed for greater participation - have been thwarted. Mail-in voting is a safe and secure way that millions of Pennsylvanians have used to exercise their right to vote since the legislature passed the law in 2019. Looking ahead, I will continue to champion measures like the K. Leroy Irvis Voting Rights Protection Act, to further improve access and security, while restoring public faith in our election system and our local election officials.” Read more
Those who stand with us in the fight to protect Black mothers and promote policies that ensure Black families can live in safe and healthy communities need to make their voices heard and call on their elected officials to join us. Read more
As the COVID-19 crisis continues, I'm planning an online discussion to help connect local businesses, nonprofits and child care providers with critical resources. Read more
From schools closing for the rest of the year to SEPTA's latest schedule changes, here's a look at the COVID-19 updates from the week of April 6, 2020. Read more
From the stay-at-home order extended to all schools closed indefinitely, here are the COVID-19 updates from the week of March 30 that you need to know. Read more
As we work to overcome the ongoing challenges associated with COVID-19, here's new information you need to know about the public health crisis from this week. Read more
State Rep. Joanna McClinton today announced a $10,000 state grant to help the Coalition of African Communities promote awareness and participation in the 2020 Census. "As I help to protect my communities from COVID-19, I am also stressing the need for my neighbors to take part in the 2020 Census," said McClinton, D-Delaware/Phila. "The Census is a key opportunity to bring federal resources back to our neighborhoods to strengthen schools, fix roads and make health care affordable for all. However, these funds rely on participation, and with the public health crisis our country finds itself in, this grant is needed now more than ever to help convey the safe ways to be counted." The funding is part of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development's Census 2020 Outreach Grant program, which focuses on supporting efforts that target hard-to-count populations, including: Those who do not speak English as their primary language. Ethnic minorities. Immigrants. Members of the LGBTQ community. Individuals experiencing homelessness. "The Coalition of African Communities can use this funding to remind people that they can still adhere to COVID-19 safety precautions, such as social distancing, by filling out their census forms in the safest ways Read more
Due to concerns over COVID-19, I have decided to close my district office to the public, however, my staff and I are still here to answer your phone calls and emails. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Mar. 12 – Members of Philadelphia leadership team in the state House were joined by fellow Philadelphia legislators in asking Gov. Tom Wolf to place a moratorium on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission from further utility shutoffs for the foreseeable future for all Pennsylvanians in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Philadelphia members in leadership positions, including Reps. Jordan Harris, Democratic whip; Joanna McClinton, Democratic chairwoman; Rosita Youngblood, Democratic secretary; Jason Dawkins, Philadelphia Delegation chairman; Stephen Kinsey, Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus chairman; and Jim Roebuck, Education Committee chairman, were joined by Philadelphia Reps. Donna Bullock, Morgan Cephas, Joe Hohenstein, Malcolm Kenyatta, Brian Sims, Maria Donatucci, Danilo Burgos, Isabella Fitzgerald, Mike Driscoll, Mary Isaacson, Pam DeLissio, Chris Rabb, Elizabeth Fiedler, Jared Solomon and Kevin Boyle in issuing the following statement: “The COVID-19 virus situation is literally evolving by the hour in Pennsylvania as we continue in what’s a situation many Pennsylvanians have never experienced. Many of our neediest residents have life-saving medical equipment that they use in their home, and it’s of the utmost importance that they have consistent access to that equipment through their electric utility. Our emergency rooms and first responders can’t be asked to spend finite resources on Read more
HARRISBURG, March 5 – State Rep. Joanna E. McClinton is pleased to announce that the Delaware County Workforce Development Board and Philadelphia Works, Inc. will receive grants to fund internship opportunities for students and young adults this summer. The grants, totaling $137,463 for Delaware County and $1.1 million in Philadelphia, will fund the State/Local Internship Program (SLIP) and be overseen by each county’s workforce development board. The internship program will operate for an eight-week period from May 1 to Aug. 28, and offer wages at a minimum of $10.35 an hour for young adults between the ages of 16 and 24. McClinton said SLIP provides hands-on working experience to young people as they purse a college education or start their careers. “I am so proud of the work that the Delaware County Workforce Development Board does each and every day to enhance the lives of my friends and neighbors in the county,” McClinton said. “Philadelphia Works is also a staple in the city for workforce readiness and job opportunities for our residents. With these grants, the boards will be able to fund pivotal internship opportunities for young people in my district who are eager to get started learning about potential careers.” It is expected that nearly 1,500 internships will be funded through SLIP statewide. “Programs like SLIP allow us to build a strong workforce and provide a pathway for young people to get the Read more
HARRISBURG, March 4 – State Rep. Joanna McClinton today announced a $40,000 state grant to John Bartram Association to assist the nonprofit in protecting history in Philadelphia. "A critical step in solidifying our future is preserving our past," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "I am proud to support organizations like John Bartram Association who share my commitment to educate our neighbors on the historical significance of our communities and give them the opportunity to experience it for themselves." John Bartram Association works to maintain and enhance the 45-acre, National Historic Landmark Bartram's Garden and House, as well as inspire people of all ages to care for the natural world through gardening and art. McClinton went on to say, "Historical landmarks also play a key role in attracting visitors from across the commonwealth and beyond to our area. This helps strengthen our local businesses in Southwest Philly and ultimately our economy as a whole." The funding was awarded through the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Society's Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program, which provides general operating support to Pennsylvania museums and official county historic societies. Read more
You're invited to our town hall meeting to address the unique issues facing residents of Cobbs Creek. Read more
Find out how to cut heating costs this winter. Read more
From criminal justice reform to bringing critical resources to our communities, take a look at what we have accomplished for the 191st Legislative District. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 12 – Following Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Mark Tranquilli being reassigned on Tuesday to summary appeals after allegedly calling a Black female juror “Aunt Jemima” and making other racist remarks toward her, members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus are now urging the Judicial Conduct Review Board to investigate. Leading the effort are PLBC members representing Allegheny County, who condemned Tranquilli’s comments as another manifestation of a broken criminal justice system that systemically targets black and brown people. “The alleged comments made by Judge Mark Tranquilli are alarming on multiple fronts,” said state Rep. Austin Davis, who represents the 35 th Legislative District in Allegheny County. “On one hand we have an individual tasked with upholding the law to the highest extent but who clearly harbors bias and judgment toward defendants before a verdict is even reached. On the other hand, we have a judge who harbors an even stronger bias toward people of color, both of which are a recipe for disaster and an injustice to our community. I’m calling on the Judicial Conduct Review Board to do a thorough investigation into this matter.” State Rep. Edward C. Gainey, who represents the 24 th Legislative District, also in Allegheny County, echoed similar sentiments. “Our society is based on the belief that justice is blind – that regardless of race, color Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 30 – State Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, today announced that she and Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., will soon introduce legislation to increase pardon opportunities for individuals currently serving a sentence of life in prison. House Bill 2262 would do away with the requirement for a unanimous vote by the state Board of Pardons, and instead, replace it with a required simple majority vote. This vote is needed in order to recommend a pardon or commutation of a sentence to the governor for final approval. “Criminal justice reform is front and center on the minds of legislators in Harrisburg and people all across the commonwealth,” McClinton said. “One way we can truly seek reform is to offer hope to persons who have served decades in prison and no longer pose a threat to their communities. By lowering the threshold to a three-fifths vote of the pardons board to recommend pardon or commutation to the governor, Pennsylvania can show that it is truly leading by example when it comes to reforming our criminal justice system.” “In 1995, the Pennsylvania Constitution was amended to require a unanimous vote by the pardons board. I believe we’ve come a long way in understanding that we must do more in order to provide true opportunities for rehabilitated offenders to be pardoned or have their sentences commuted,” Kinsey said. “Ultimately, the final decision will still lay with Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 29 – Members of the House Democratic Philadelphia Delegation, led by Rep. Jason Dawkins, today applauded Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to include funding to address lead issues in public schools, including those in Philadelphia, in the budget. “Our children deserve to learn, and our teachers deserve to teach, in schools that don’t make them sick,” said Dawkins, chairman of the Philadelphia Delegation. “This is something that we can all agree on. But for far too long, our children, teachers and anyone else who has entered school buildings in Philadelphia have taken their own lives into their hands because often lead and asbestos were lurking inside. “My delegation colleagues and I are overjoyed at the news that Governor Wolf will be making investments in lead and asbestos remediation projects in our schools. Finally, we can take the steps to make our school buildings safe places to learn and to teach,” Dawkins said. “After so many of us have fought for so long to bring attention to this crisis, we are so grateful that Governor Wolf is making this a priority.” Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., secretary of the Philadelphia Delegation, agreed that it’s great news Wolf plans to prioritize the funding to allow schools to get rid of toxins. “We won’t rest until this money is a reality,” Fiedler added. “Every single Pennsylvania student Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 22 – This week, state Rep. Joanna McClinton hosted a day of service in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. McClinton partnered with President Judge Idee Fox and Judge Sierra Thomas Street, as well as members of New Options More Opportunities Youth Program and the Mural Arts Restorative Justice Guild for the community service event. “It’s incredible to be able to gather judges, court staff, probation officers, probationers and young people from our community together for a service project, especially in honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” McClinton said. “When people of all backgrounds come together to help the next generation of students, we’re seeing criminal justice reform in action. I’m excited to continue to break down barriers that exist within the justice system throughout the year.” Participants worked together to repaint the gymnasium at William C. Longstreth Elementary School in Southwest Philly. Photos from the event can be viewed here . Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 21 – State Rep. Joanna McClinton welcomed constituents to two community events in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. First, she hosted a day of service at Penn Wood Middle School. Then, McClinton held a Delaware County expungement clinic. “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. left a legacy of service and giving back that we can all take inspiration from,” McClinton said. “The holiday is the perfect reminder to be present in our community and make sure that our students are taken care of and that people are given a second chance to build the lives they deserve.” At Penn Wood Middle School, students volunteered to create supply bags for a local shelter. Students were empowered to bring their individual talents to the fight for equality. McClinton was joined by state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams for the expungement clinic, where more than 35 constituents participated. Additional support was provided by Legal Aid of Southeastern PA. “Dr. King once said, ‘injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ It is truly an injustice that a criminal record can prevent one from getting a job, housing and other opportunities,” McClinton said. “I will continue to fight to change the laws to expand expungement access and offer these programs throughout the year.” Read more
Pa. state Rep. Joanna McClinton reflects on the words and wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and invites residents to join her for community service events on Saturday and Monday in honor of Dr. King’s legacy. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 20 – More than 300 people participated in state Rep. Joanna McClinton’s fifth annual Celebrate the Season with Seniors: Holiday Health and Fitness Expo at Motivation High School. “We hold this event every year to connect our wisest neighbors with quality care, critical resources, and a fun time to help them live their best lives,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “This is just another way we’re working to give back and bring our communities closer together during the holidays.” Participants enjoyed a delicious lunch with access to more than 30 vendors that provided free wellness services, fitness opportunities and entertainment, including: Health screenings: Mercy Health System, Main Line Health and Sayre Health Center. Cost-saving assistance: SEPTA, AARP, Connect One Health, Philadelphia Electric Co. (PECO) and Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW). Musical performances: Cornerstone Christian Academy Children’s Choir and Philadelphia Police Ofc. Shamssadeen Baukman, 18 th Police District. Exercise class: BeautiFitStrong. McClinton attributed the success of this year’s expo to the devoted volunteers, including students from Motivation High School, NSA Multicultural Academy and KIPP West Philadelphia Preparty School, along with the commitment of Oak Street Health, Compassionate Care Provider, Humana, Dedicated Senior Medical Center, and Always Read more
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