HARRISBURG, Jan. 16 – State House Speaker Joanna McClinton, Rep. Regina Young, and Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams are applauding a $250,000 grant for the John Bartram Association in southwest Philadelphia. The association will use the grant to boost amenities along the popular Bartram Garden Trail that hosts thousands of local residents every year. The trail is used by walkers, runners and cyclists, and by people looking for a spot to fish or explore many parts of the garden. It is part of the larger Schuylkill River Trail. “The Bartram Garden Trail links our communities along the Schuykill River, so residents from different neighborhoods can enjoy and explore the outdoors together,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “This significant funding will improve the trail so that it continues to be treasure that the entire region can enjoy for years to come.” “I'm thrilled that the John Bartram Association is getting this funding for increased trail amenities within Bartram's Garden,” said Young, D-Phila./Delaware. “This is a gem for our communities in Southwest Philadelphia, providing wide open green space, agricultural opportunities and a peaceful respite tucked in the boundaries of our city. As a member of the House Tourism and Economic and Recreational Development Committee, I'm always proud to promote and invest in these unique locations in our community.” Read more
Delaware County Expungement Clinic Delco Neighbors - Have questions about expungement and the process to have convictions removed from your record? On Monday, Jan. 15 my office is partnering with state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams to offer an expungement clinic for Delaware County residents. From noon to 2 P.M. , Legal Aid of Southeastern PA will be on hand to answer questions and help you with the process. For more information call 215-492-2980. Farm Show Fun! This week I visited the PA Farm Show in Harrisburg with students from the Add B. Anderson Elementary School! We kicked off the morning by announcing $500,000 in grants to connect students across the state with career opportunities in the Commonwealth's biggest industry, FARMING! Students spoke with Philadelphia’s own Farmer Jawn and other agricultural educators. No Farm Show trip is complete without an iconic Pennsylvania Dairymen’s milkshake! The show ends on Saturday, Jan. 13! View more photos from our visit . Office Closure In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, my offices will be closed on Monday, January 15 and re-open on Tuesday, January 16 during regular business hours. The Pennie Enrollment deadline is approaching! You can enroll in 2024 health insurance coverage through Pennie until Jan. 19, 2024. Learn more at my website or Read more
Pennsylvania House Democratic Leaders today issued the following statement on a report and recommendations passed by the Basic Education Funding Commission today: Read more
House Democrats are delivering for Pennsylvanians. Several new laws were passed in December that my colleagues and I had championed for years, including measures to reform our state’s outdated probation system, expand opportunities for people to have their criminal records sealed, recruit new police officers, and invest in legal representation for people who cannot afford it. Probation reform. Pennsylvania is a place for second chances, but for too long our state’s probation system was a revolving door of probation to prison that trapped many neighbors in a cycle of imprisonment – even for minor technical violations of probation. On any given day, 75,000 people are incarcerated for minor technical violations of probation or parole, which is unfair to the individual and needlessly bloats our correctional population. Now, a newly signed law refocuses our probation system on helping Pennsylvanians avoid incarceration for minor technical violations so they stay on the right path. And instead of generic guidance deciding the penalty for a technical probation violation, the new law empowers judges to consider a person’s individual challenges and needs when setting probation conditions as well as their ability to pay fines and restitution. It also requires mandatory probation reviews sooner and incentivizes the opportunity for early termination for people who maintain employment or pursue education while on probation. These reforms will go a Read more
Joanna McClinton, the first Black woman to win the Pennsylvania House speakership, blends a patient, service-oriented approach with her practical courtroom experience. Read more
What: Delaware County Enpungement Clinic in collaboration with Sen. Anthony H. Williams and Legal Aid of Southeastern PA When: MLK Day of Service • Monday, January 15, 2024 • Noon - 2 p.m. Where: Darby Borough Complex 1020 Ridge Avenue, Darby, PA You are eligible for an expungement if you meet these qualifications: Only Delaware County arrests are eligible Only non-conviction charges, including ARD, or summary convictions with no arrests in the past 5 years can be expunged (non summary convictions cannot be expunged) Many misdemeanor convictions may be sealed if 7 years have passed Some low-level drug and property-related felony convictions may be sealed if 10 years have passed Must have no current criminal charges Must not be serving probation time For more information call 215-492-2980. Read more
Neighbor, I hope you had a restful holiday season. I’m proud to say 2024 has started strong, with Mayor Cherelle Parker being sworn in as Philadelphia’s 100th mayor - the first woman to hold the position! Mayor Parker has an inspired agenda for the city and I’m excited to have her lead! I’m also proud that another former state legislator, Kenyatta Johnson, was elected to serve as president of the Philadelphia City Council. And congratulations to all our newly sworn-in leaders in Yeadon and Darby. I am eager to work with all of these local officials to strengthen our communities! Delco Expungement Clinic Delco Neighbors - Have questions about expungement and the process to have convictions removed from your record? On Monday, Jan. 15 my office is partnering with state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams to offer an expungement clinic for Delaware County residents. From noon to 2 p.m. , Legal Aid of Southeastern PA will be on hand to answer questions and help you with the process. For more information call 215-492-2980. Free Dog and Cat Wellness Clinic Pets are valued members of the family and getting them the proper care can help keep them healthy. To help members of our community ensure their dogs and cats receive needed vaccinations, prevent infectious diseases, and mark the Martin Luther King Day of Service, the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine will host a free dog and cat wellness and Read more
State House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D-191st Dist.) and Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Rep. Morgan Cephas (D- are applauding $225,000 in state funds being awarded to Achieveability, a neighborhood revitalization organization that has served West Philadelphia for more than 40 years. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 29 – As the House majority in 2023, the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus advanced measures to keep communities safer, healthier and make them better places to live for all residents. First, House Democrats championed legislation to strengthen public safety, including keeping 911 services operational, making Pennsylvania roadways safer for drivers and pedestrians, and recruiting more law enforcement professionals. 911 Centers serve residents and first responders 24/7/365 -- often during times of emergency. When funding for 911 Centers was at risk, House Democrats fought for a plan to secure funding to enable them to continue to serve the public and make improvements to the 911 system. Communities across Pennsylvania are struggling to fill police officer positions , but a plan introduced by Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, will update some outdated standards used to assess applicants that have made recruiting municipal police officers more difficult and imbalanced statewide. “Vacancies in local police departments hurt our communities and put us all at risk,” Williams said. “This measure will give our local police departments a tool to help solve their vacancies but is only a piece of the puzzle as we need to do more.” This comes after an announcement earlier this year that the Pennsylvania State Police was removing its college credit requirement on a trial basis to attract more Read more
Ensuring that Pennsylvania students have access to a quality public education is a top priority for the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus. Read more
This year, House Democrats championed record investments in K-12 public education while starting action to fulfill their constitutional obligation to adequately and equitably fund public schools. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 27 – With an aggressive agenda in 2023, the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus advanced the commonwealth’s economic outlook and helped working families and seniors across the state by driving policies that return more money to the people who make our local economies thrive. Read more
State House Speaker Joanna McClinton and Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Rep. Morgan Cephas are applauding $225,000 in state funds being awarded to Achieveability, a neighborhood revitalization organization that has served west Philadelphia for more than 40 years. Read more
Several women of color made history as the first women from their ethnic or racial group to serve in various political offices this year, affirming arguments put forth by candidates and political analysts that their electoral success is a sign of shifting politics. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 20 – Today, House Appropriations Committee Majority Chairman Jordan Harris, D-Phila., hosted a news conference at South Philadelphia High School discussing school facilities funding in the 2023-24 state budget. The budget includes $175 million for school facility improvements. Pennsylvania has some of the oldest schools in the country. The average school building is around 70 years old and was built when lead pipes and asbestos were standard building materials. Discoveries of asbestos and other toxins have led to school closures across the Commonwealth, including seven Philadelphia schools in 2023 alone. In the same year, 100 schools statewide closed due to excessive heat. Harris stated that he believes this funding will help to address this issue that’s plagued Pennsylvania schools for a long time. “This funding is paramount to improving the health and safety of our educators, students and school staff, Harris said. “This major Democratic priority is a significant investment and critical step toward ensuring that receiving an education in Pennsylvania does not equate to sick or injured students, teachers, or staff. There is more work to do, and we intend to continue our work until every Pennsylvania school is a safe learning environment for our children.” Harris was joined by members of the Philadelphia House Delegation, including state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila., and members of the House Read more
State House Speaker Joanna McClinton is applauding a nearly $500,000 grant being awarded to Darby to improve sewer infrastructure in the borough. Read more
The year 2023 is one we won’t soon forget. Women from across the commonwealth made history, shattering glass ceiling after glass ceiling, winning major elections in Pennsylvania’s most-populated counties. Read more
Governor Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Davis joined by Meek Mill, Speaker McClinton, legislative leaders, and reform advocates for the ceremonial signing of legislation that will pave the way for more Pennsylvanians to get the second chances they deserve. Read more
Despite the often heated debates over legislation between the GOP-led state Senate and the Democratic-led House over the past year, the two women who lead the chambers say their working relationship is as strong as ever. Read more
McClinton talks her first year in office, opportunities and challenges in Philadelphia and her goals for 2024. Read more
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