Pa Lawmakers Push for Record Sealing of Non-Violent, Low Level Felonies with Clean Slate Expansion

(Apr 27, 2023)

In 2018, former Governor Tom Wolf signed clean slate legislation into law. Since the passage of the Pennsylvania Clean Slate Law, ten other states have launched similar programs. Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate program currently seals the records of non-violent misdemeanors following a waiting period of ten-crime-free years. Since automated sealing began in 2019, over 40 million cases have been automatically sealed, and over 1.2 million people have had a record sealed. Read more

 

Why Pa. Clean Slate law could extend to felonies

(Apr 27, 2023)

It's a chance to start again. Lawmakers in Harrisburg say a new bi-partisan bill would empower people with low-level non-violent felony charges on their record, making it easier to reenter society."No one should be judged by their worst day," said State Representative Jordan Harris, a Democrat who serves Philadelphia. Read more

 

Fiedler, Madsen, Harris join Steelton-Highspire High School solar tour

(Apr 25, 2023)

HARRISBURG, April 25 – Today, state Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila.; Dave Madsen, D-Dauphin; and House Democratic Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris, D-Phila.; joined a tour of the solar panel array at Steelton-Highspire High School. The tour was hosted by Generation 180, a nonprofit organization working to inspire and equip people to adopt clean energy. Last year, Steelton-Highspire School District unveiled a solar panel field to power the district’s schools and buildings. Fiedler recently introduced ‘Solar for Schools’ legislation that would create a grant program to fund solar energy projects at school districts, intermediate units, community colleges, and career and technical schools. She said she was pleased to see Steelton-Highspire’s new solar panel field. “Today, we got to see how much positive change solar panel arrays can bring to schools like Steelton-Highspire,” Fiedler said. “If we pass Solar for Schools legislation, we can save schools thousands each year in energy costs, bring federal money for green energy projects back to Pennsylvania, generate good-paying jobs for skilled workers, reduce pollution, create opportunities for hands-on education, and inspire a new generation of leaders.” Madsen, whose legislative district includes Steelton-Highspire School District, praised the school’s leadership. “I am proud of Read more

 

Reps. Cephas, Harris host roundtable to examine repairs of alleyways, driveways, sidewalks

(Apr 17, 2023)

“Alleyways, driveways and sidewalks are public-use spaces,” Rep. Jordan Harris said. “Homeowners, however, are struggling to provide the generational upgrades and repairs necessary to many of these pathways used by the community. We’ve seen it throughout the commonwealth and here in my home in Philadelphia." Read more

 

State lawmakers react to Gov. Shapiro’s budget proposal

(Mar 08, 2023)

“This is about investing in Pennsylvania and investing in Pennsylvanians,” Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Jordan Harris (D) said. Read more

 

Bikes, toys for local kids

(Jan 04, 2023)

It all comes full cycle.State Rep. Jordan Harris and former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Lito Sheppard helped hand out bicycles and other toys to local children at the ninth annual Bike 186 event at Yesha Fellowship Hall on Snyder Avenue on Dec. 21.It was another round of good holiday gestures and another round of smiles from the children who got to take home a new bike. Read more

 

Harris, joined by former Philadelphia Eagle Lito Sheppard, hosts Bike 186 giveaway in South Philadelphia

(Dec 23, 2022)

“It’s an incredible honor to be able to give back to the community I grew up in and that helped raise me, and Bike 186 is the perfect way to do that around the holidays,” said Harris, D-Phila. “I’m incredibly appreciative to partner with Lito Sheppard and Pennsylvania Skill to bring cheer to so many families.” Read more

 

Africatown to receive $9 million in state funding

(Nov 29, 2022)

After years spent in predevelopment, a community development project in Southwest Philadelphia named Africatown recently celebrated two major milestones: an official groundbreaking and the announcement of millions in additional state funding. Read more

 

House Democratic Caucus Elects 2023/24 Leadership Team

(Nov 15, 2022)

Tuesday the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus unanimously re-elected its current Leadership team to serve in the 2023/24 legislative session. Read more

 

Harris selected for prestigious Council of State Governments 20 Under 40 Leadership Award

(Oct 05, 2022)

“My ultimate goal is to improve the lives of those in my community who send me to Harrisburg to be their voice and serve them as best as I can,” Harris said. “I believe I can use this recognition to learn, grow and become an even better public servant. I’m truly appreciative to the Council of State Governments for this honor and opportunity.” Read more

 

This Week in Pennsylvania: Jordan Harris

(Oct 03, 2022)

Dennis Owens is joined by state Rep. Jordan Harris on This Week in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

'Clean slate' law works; expand it

(Sep 02, 2022)

Courts order criminal sentences for prescribed amounts of time, but in some ways they last forever. People who try to turn around their lives after serving their sentences often find that the record of the crime is a sentence in itself, especially in the internet age, preventing them from employment, housing, credit, educational opportunities and other foundations of productive citizenship. Read more

 

Harris: Expanding Clean Slate would give thousands more Pennsylvanians their second chance

(Aug 31, 2022)

“What we’ve seen since Clean Slate was first enacted is countless Pennsylvanians having doors opened for them to better education, housing and employment that were previously not available due to a minor crime they committed in their past,” Harris said. “This expansion has bipartisan support because everyone realizes that it’s not only the right thing to do for folks who have paid their debt to society and are on the right track, but it improves our communities and makes them safer by helping people reach higher levels of success and achievement. I’ve very thankful to team up again with Representative Delozier in this fight.” Read more

 

New grant adds $375 million in state funds to target repair of crumbling homes in Pa.

(Aug 15, 2022)

State Rep. Jordan Harris believes the money will be used to preserve and save housing stock.“It’s routine to get your roof done,” he said. “For folks in my community it’s a death sentence to preserving generational wealth. That’s why this is so important.” Read more

 

Summer 2022 Newsletter

(Aug 10, 2022)

Get the latest news from Harrisburg and Philadelphia with Rep. Harris' Summer 2022 newsletter. Read more

 

PA House Democratic leaders praise Wolf executive order protecting patients seeking safe abortion & reproductive care

(Jul 12, 2022)

“Today’s executive order safeguarding access to abortion makes it clear that Pennsylvania values all people and will stand up to defend their rights. Governor Wolf’s action signifies that Pennsylvania is a place where abortion is health care and must remain safe, legal and available to all people. We applaud the Governor for taking action to ensure that no one is harmed for accessing reproductive health care. We are proud to work with him on keeping abortion care standards in place.” Read more

 

House Democratic Leaders Blast Last-minute Effort to Politicize Women’s Access to Abortion, Implement Voter ID

(Jul 08, 2022)

Pennsylvania House Democratic Leaders released the following statement regarding Republican lawmaker’s last-minute attack on Pennsylvania women and voters before breaking for the summer recess. Read more

 

House Democratic Leaders: Budget inaction frustrating and inexcusable

(Jul 01, 2022)

“The inaction we’ve seen is disappointing. With a $12 billion surplus, we can and should deliver for the people of Pennsylvania.“Rather than pass a timely budget that helps working families, we’ve been distracted by unrelated issues and interjected politics at the expense of in-state tuition for Pennsylvania students. Read more

 

House Democratic Leaders: Supreme Court decision will cost lives

(Jun 24, 2022)

“Today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision will hurt women’s access to health care, disproportionately harming people of color and those struggling financially. While abortion is still safe and legal here in Pennsylvania despite the court’s decision, the truth is the commonwealth is one vote away from criminalizing women’s health care and the dire consequences that it would prompt – higher maternal mortality rates, spikes in unsafe abortions, and the prosecution of doctors and nurses who provide necessary health care. Because let’s be honest: outlawing abortion doesn’t stop abortion. Read more

 

House Democrats Blast Republican Refusal to Debate Gun Safety Bills

(Jun 13, 2022)

HARRISBURG, June 13 -- In response to the House Judiciary Committee’s refusal to meaningfully debate four gun safety proposals today, House Democratic Leaders and the chairman of the House Philadelphia Delegation issued the following statement: “Every day we delay is an opportunity for another tragedy, whether in Philadelphia, Scranton, Chambersburg, or any other community. Pennsylvanians have waited too long, seen too much pain and suffering, and are tired of Republican inaction. “House Republican leaders have again chosen to play politics with people’s lives. When forced to consider long-overdue, sensible gun safety measures popular with Pennsylvanians, the Judiciary Committee chairman offered a disingenuous and partisan response by opting to transfer the bills to another committee that is poorly equipped to scrutinize the legislation - essentially punting on his responsibility as chairman. It is partisan antics like these that cause residents to lose faith in their elected government. “House Democrats will not relent in our fight for meaningful gun safety legislation.” Read more

 

Pa Lawmakers Push for Record Sealing of Non-Violent, Low Level Felonies with Clean Slate Expansion
Apr 27, 2023

Why Pa. Clean Slate law could extend to felonies
Apr 27, 2023

Fiedler, Madsen, Harris join Steelton-Highspire High School solar tour
Apr 25, 2023

Reps. Cephas, Harris host roundtable to examine repairs of alleyways, driveways, sidewalks
Apr 17, 2023

State lawmakers react to Gov. Shapiro’s budget proposal
Mar 08, 2023

Bikes, toys for local kids
Jan 04, 2023

Harris, joined by former Philadelphia Eagle Lito Sheppard, hosts Bike 186 giveaway in South Philadelphia
Dec 23, 2022

Africatown to receive $9 million in state funding
Nov 29, 2022

House Democratic Caucus Elects 2023/24 Leadership Team
Nov 15, 2022

Harris selected for prestigious Council of State Governments 20 Under 40 Leadership Award
Oct 05, 2022

This Week in Pennsylvania: Jordan Harris
Oct 03, 2022

'Clean slate' law works; expand it
Sep 02, 2022

Harris: Expanding Clean Slate would give thousands more Pennsylvanians their second chance
Aug 31, 2022

New grant adds $375 million in state funds to target repair of crumbling homes in Pa.
Aug 15, 2022

Summer 2022 Newsletter
Aug 10, 2022

PA House Democratic leaders praise Wolf executive order protecting patients seeking safe abortion & reproductive care
Jul 12, 2022

House Democratic Leaders Blast Last-minute Effort to Politicize Women’s Access to Abortion, Implement Voter ID
Jul 08, 2022

House Democratic Leaders: Budget inaction frustrating and inexcusable
Jul 01, 2022

House Democratic Leaders: Supreme Court decision will cost lives
Jun 24, 2022

House Democrats Blast Republican Refusal to Debate Gun Safety Bills
Jun 13, 2022