In her ongoing effort to help her most vulnerable neighbors during the COVID-19 health crisis, state Rep. Joanna McClinton teamed up with Greyhound Cafe Wednesday to provide free healthy meals to those in need. "While we've made progress in our fight to stop the spread of the coronavirus, the pandemic continues creating challenges for families, leaving many struggling to put food on the table," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "The folks at Greyhound Cafe and I recognize this, and we're working together to not only feed these families, but connect them with nutritious food options that both satisfy their hunger and bolster their health." The group delivered 50 dinners to residents at Bartram Village in Southwest Philadelphia. "The purpose of our restaurant is to offer affordable plant-based food options to those who may not otherwise have access to it," said Joseph Solar, owner of Greyhound Cafe. "When COVID-19 hit, we adjusted to the limited dining experiences and found a way to assist individuals by bringing healthy meals to them over the summer." McClinton explained that a former Greyhound Cafe employee and college student from West Philadelphia, Haakim Peay, has been the visionary behind Wednesday's food giveaway, along with other similar ones in Frankford Read more
State Rep. Joanna McClinton is applauding Gov. Tom Wolf today for signing two critical police reform bills into law aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency in law enforcement across the Commonwealth. "This is truly an historic step in our fight to end systematic racism in Pennsylvania by enacting real change that Black and Brown individuals need now more than ever," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "The fact these bills swiftly moved through the legislature, passing both the House and Senate unanimously and making it to the governor in just a matter of weeks, proves we can get the people's work done when we work together." McClinton joined the governor outside the office of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency as he signed: H.B. 1841 – Requires thorough background checks prior to the hiring of a police officer, as well as requires the establishment and upkeep of a confidential database, which will contain information about past criminal convictions/employment separations of police officers. Hiring departments would be expected to query this database prior to hiring a certified officer. H.B. 1910 – Requires that police officers be trained on racial, ethnic and economic diversity; implicit bias; recognizing and reporting child abuse; and annual training on the appropriate use of force. The bill also increases access to officers’ mental health evaluations. Read more
From protecting homeowners and renters to details about a new criminal justice reform law, check out my latest update from Harrisburg. Read more
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
In her ongoing fight for criminal justice reform, state Rep. Joanna McClinton today is commending Gov. Tom Wolf for signing S.B. 637 into law. The bill removes outdated professional licensing barriers so skilled workers with criminal records can get a second chance and start good careers. The bill makes the following improvements for the state’s 29 occupational licensing boards: Boards and commissions can no longer use a person’s criminal history to deny someone a license unless their criminal history is directly related to the occupation in which they are seeking licensure. Directs boards to individually consider applications based on the offense, the amount of time since the conviction and the applicant’s personal progress and training, among other factors, before withholding licensure. Requires boards to create a public list of criminal offenses that may prevent licensure. Allows individuals to get a preliminary decision if their conviction is likely to disqualify them from licensure so they do not waste time and money on training. Individuals can still apply and present evidence to support their licensure. Creates temporary licenses in barbering and cosmetology for reentrants trained in a correctional facility who otherwise would be denied a license because of their criminal record. Licensees can work one to two years and demonstrate competency. “This Read more
Check out my latest e-newsletter to find out which police reforms are heading to the governor, how homeowners and renters can apply for COVID-19 relief and the grant program available for small businesses. Read more
From passing police reform legislation to helping you through the COVID-19 pandemic, it's all in my Summer Newsletter. Read more
Renters and homeowners who were financially impacted by the economic slowdown related to the coronavirus pandemic will be able to access applications for rent and mortgage relief beginning Monday, June 29. At that time, applications will be accessible from a red banner on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s website at www.PHFA.org . Homeowners who became unemployed after March 1 or who suffered at least a 30 percent reduction in annual income due to reduced work hours and wages related to COVID-19 may be eligible for financial assistance to help with missed mortgage payments. To qualify for the Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program, the applicant must be an owner-occupant of their residence, the dwelling must consist of one or two separate units, the mortgage must be at least 30 days delinquent, and the applicant-homeowner’s annual household income must not exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence adjusted for the number of people in their home. For renters to be eligible for financial assistance under the CARES Rent Relief Program, they will need to document at least a 30 percent reduction in annual income since March 1 related to COVID-19, or they must have become unemployed after March 1. If unemployed, they must have filed for Unemployment Compensation. Their household income cannot exceed the Area Median Income for their county of residence adjusted for the number of people in their home. For more information Read more
From our office reopening to a new grant program to help small businesses recover from COVID-19, check out my latest e-newsletter. Read more
Applications are expected to be available June 30 for a new program aimed at providing critical funding to local businesses hurt by the coronavirus. Read more
State Rep. Joanna McClinton is commending her House colleagues for joining her today in unanimously passing critical police reform bills to help ensure accountability and transparency in law enforcement across the commonwealth. "I'm proud to have been part of history, as all members from both sides of the political aisle came together, did the people's work and moved Pennsylvania forward," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "We have a responsibility to provide justice to all, but too many times, justice and fairness have fallen short for Black and Brown folks, particularly as it deals with policing. Today, we put our communities of color first by using our power as legislators to push to implement change." The House passed: H.B. 1841 – Would require thorough background checks prior to the hiring of a police officer, as well as require the establishment and upkeep of a confidential database which will contain information about past criminal convictions/employment separations of police officers. Hiring departments would be expected to query this database prior to hiring a certified officer. H.B. 1910 – Would require that police officers be trained on racial, ethnic, and economic diversity; implicit bias; recognizing and reporting child abuse; and annual training on the appropriate use of force. The bill also would Read more
Check out which police reform bills are moving forward, Philly's plan to get to the Green Phase and the new support available for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Read more
Amid ongoing demand for racial equality and police reforms, state Rep. Joanna McClinton said she is proud to be part of the newly created Taskforce on Criminal Justice Reform in Delaware County and looks to use her role to bridge the divide between law enforcement and communities of color. "We must take action now to help stop targeted violence against our black and brown neighbors at the hands of police," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "Just this week, 1,000 young people at Penn Wood High School organized their very own protest to make sure everybody knows that their lives matter. They are concerned about whether or not they'll be the next Breonna Taylor or George Floyd. We have a responsibility to prevent that from ever happening and this taskforce is a step in the right direction." McClinton joined Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer and County Council, who are both spearheading this initiative, along with other community leaders Tuesday outside of the county courthouse in Media, to lay out details of the taskforce, which will include measures to strengthen accountability in the criminal justice system, as well as improve police-community relations. "I look forward to working with this diverse group to ensure we don't let this be a moment in time that passes," McClinton said. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 16 – State Rep. Joanna McClinton (D-Phila), the House Democratic Caucus Chair, applauded the House Judiciary Committee for passing a series of important police and criminal justice reform bills on Monday. Two bills related to police hiring and training, and a third bill that will help citizens with past convictions return to the workforce all passed unanimously. “I want to thank my colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee for working in a thoughtful, bi-partisan manner to move these pivotal police and criminal justice reform bills forward,” McClinton said. “I’m proud to see the committee following part of the road map created by the PA Legislative Black Caucus and the Police Reform Working Group to get us to this point. Now I’m calling on House Republican Leadership to schedule these bills for a vote during the week of June 22 when we return to Harrisburg for voting session.” The committee passed several important pieces of legislation at their meeting on Monday: H.B. 1841 – Would require thorough background checks prior to the hiring of a police officer, as well as require the establishment and upkeep of a confidential database which will contain information about past criminal convictions/employment separations of police officers. Hiring departments would be expected to query this database prior to hiring a certified officer. H.B. 1910 – Would Read more
The Police Reform Working Group, a collection of elected officials and advocates working to bring accountability and transparency reforms to law enforcement, released the following statement in response to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney’s commitment to police reform: “To bring about true and meaningful law enforcement reform, we must work together with leaders at all levels of government so the voices of those we represent can be heard and forward-thinking change achieved. We’ve already had several conversations with Mayor Kenney’s administration and those discussions have been promising. We appreciate the mayor’s willingness to listen and believe that his announcement today is the first step in what will be a long, but productive, journey to reform. Read more
The Police Reform Working Group, a collection of elected officials and advocates working to bring accountability and transparency reforms to law enforcement, released the following statement on Gov. Tom Wolf’s adoption today of their request for a state-level deputy inspector general aimed at improving law enforcement conduct, as well as Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s, along with the Fraternal Order of Police’s, support of a confidential database to track complaints against police officers: Read more
State Rep. Joanna McClinton joined Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw today to condemn recent acts of destruction across the city while encouraging peaceful protests for justice. "I'm proud to align with individuals who are exercising their first amendment right to demand change to an unjust system that has discriminated against black and brown communities for too long," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "However, blowing up ATMs, looting businesses and destroying communities does nothing but dissolve our message for reforms and changes the narrative of our cause." Following a recent rash of ATM explosions across Philadelphia, Shapiro announced the arrest of a man accused of selling sticks of dynamite on the street. "I appreciate AG Shapiro and Chief Outlaw's efforts to hold individuals responsible for coming into our neighborhoods with the intention of destroying assets, businesses and resources that benefit all of our families. It is very disturbing that these senseless acts are diluting the protests demanding the changes we need in the justice system immediately," explained McClinton. "We cannot lose this moment in history to fight for and achieve justice for all and prevent tragedies like George Floyd from happening in the future." Read more
State Rep. Joanna McClinton today is praising the removal of the controversial statue portraying Frank Rizzo, former Philadelphia mayor and police commissioner, which stood in Thomas Paine Plaza across from City Hall for more than two decades. She released the following statement: "While in office, Frank Rizzo constantly abused his power to discriminate against our communities of color, and his statue has been a constant reminder of the social injustices we have been fighting to eradicate for far too long across Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the entire country. "The fact this symbol of racism and inequality is now gone represents a major win in our ongoing efforts to invoke change during a time we need it the most. "We must take this momentum and use it to pass the critical reform proposals we just introduced yesterday on the state and local levels to strengthen community-police relations. From outlawing chokeholds to requiring law enforcement to be mandated reporters of officer misconduct, we must change the laws to help our police departments ensure transparency and accountability from within their forces. "While I support the peaceful protests for justice in response to George Floyd's death, the time for talking is over and the time for action is now," said McClinton, Read more
In the midst of civil unrest across Pennsylvania ignited by the murder of George Floyd, elected officials from Philadelphia introduced a series of much-needed reforms aimed at improving community/police relationships. Read more
Details about what this executive order means for individuals voting by mail. Read more
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