House Democratic Leaders Call on GOP Leaders to “Free the Funds”

(Mar 10, 2022)

Pennsylvania’s House Democratic Leaders are calling on elected Republicans in Harrisburg to finally free billions in federal funds and invest in workers and families who are contending with higher fuel costs. Read more

 

Gov. Wolf Pushes For $200 Million Scholarship Program to Help Community and State College Students

(Feb 22, 2022)

State Representative Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia) adds that community and state colleges are the elevators to success in Pennsylvania. “You can't tell young people that education is the elevator to success and then give them a broken elevator,” said Harris. “You have to give them the tools to be successful.” Read more

 

House Democrats applaud investments in people put forth in governor’s budget

(Feb 08, 2022)

PA House Democratic leadership released the following statement today praising Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal that invests in Pennsylvania without raising taxes: Read more

 

Reps. Joanna McClinton, Matt Bradford and Jordan Harris: Coming together for a brighter future for Pa.

(Feb 03, 2022)

It’s an unprecedented budget year for Pennsylvania, and for once the news is positive.Separate of the nearly $3 billion in unspent federal stimulus dollars left over from last fiscal year, state revenues are now coming in $1.5 billion over estimate (and climbing). This budget snapshot shows us that when you put stimulus dollars to work — as President Biden has with the American Rescue Plan — the return on investment is strong. Read more

 

Kinsey seeks solutions for problems in Pa. prison system

(Jan 26, 2022)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 26 – State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., held a news conference today with House and Senate colleagues and prison-reform advocates to discuss legislation to help address systemic problems in Pennsylvania’s prison system. Kinsey was joined by House Minority Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Phila., House Minority Whip Jordan Harris, D-Phila., state Reps. Amen Brown, Danilo Burgos, Joe Hohenstein, Darisha Parker and Brian Sims, all D-Phila.; Tim Briggs, Napoleon Nelson, Ben Sanchez and Joe Webster, all D-Montgomery; Bob Brooks, R-Westmoreland/Allegheny; Gina Curry, D-Delaware; Manuel Guzman, D-Berks; Dianne Herrin, D-Chester; Carol Hill-Evans, D-York; Patty Kim, D-Dauphin; Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny; Maureen Madden, D-Monroe; Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery; and Regina Young, D-Delaware/Phila.; along with state Sen. Sharif Street, D-Phila. and Anton Andrew from PA Prison Society. “Right now, in Pennsylvania and the entire United States, we have a prison system that does not work,” Kinsey said. “We must pass legislation to reform this system, so that those incarcerated have a chance to live dignified lives when they’re serving their sentence and when they’ve completed it.” The lawmakers are seeking enactment of several bills that would improve the prison system for incarcerated people and their families as well as save taxpayer dollars, including: Probation and Parole Reform: Earned Compliance Read more

 

Harris announces $525,000 DCNR grant for Vare Recreation Center

(Dec 30, 2021)

State Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Phila., House Democratic whip, announced today a $525,000 grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to the Philadelphia City Treasurer Managing Directors Office for improvements at the Vare Recreation Center in Philadelphia. Read more

 

McClinton, Harris announce $2.6 million to build a new boathouse and workshop in Bartram’s Garden

(Dec 07, 2021)

State Reps. Joanna McClinton and Jordan Harris announced today a grant for more than $2.6 million will invest in expanding outdoor opportunities at Bartram’s Garden. Read more

 

Harris announces $250,000 grant for Vare Recreation Center

(Nov 19, 2021)

State Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Phila., House Democratic Whip, today announced a $250,000 grant to the Make The World Better Foundation for improvements at the Vare Recreation Center in Philadelphia. “All children and all communities deserve quality recreation space like Vare Recreation Center,” Harris said. “These spaces help bring communities together and help with addressing the issue of gun violence in our neighborhoods. I’m proud to have fought for Vare and help them work toward an improved location that everyone can enjoy.” Read more

 

House Democratic Caucus condemns House Republican interference in Lehigh Valley election

(Nov 19, 2021)

The threatening letter sent to the Lehigh County Board of Elections this week by state House Republican Leadership is another attack meant to undermine the public’s confidence in Pennsylvania’s election system and is an overstep of our role as state legislators. Read more

 

House Democrats unveil Propel PA plan to strengthen economic climate

(Nov 10, 2021)

House Democratic leadership today released the following statement upon unveiling “Propel PA,” a plan to make Pennsylvania more attractive to businesses and more supportive to workers:“Pennsylvania is currently facing the unique opportunity to not simply recover from this pandemic, but to rethink how our economy operates and bring forth pioneering approaches to build a stronger business atmosphere that attracts and rewards both employers and employees. Read more

 

LIHEAP: Expanded Home-Heating Assistance is Available to PA Renters, Homeowners

(Nov 04, 2021)

As winter approaches and we prepare to spend even more time indoors, utility bills are only going to get more expensive. Additionally, we know that the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn have made it difficult for many to keep up with home energy bills. No Pennsylvanian should ever have to worry that their heat will be shut off during the coldest and darkest months of the year. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) that provides assistance for home heating bills so Pennsylvanians can stay warm and safe during the winter months. Assistance is available for both renters and homeowners. LIHEAP helps some of the commonwealth’s most vulnerable citizens — children, older Pennsylvanians, people with disabilities, and low-income families — make ends meet. Anyone who may need help, or anyone who has loved ones or neighbors who could benefit from this program, is encouraged to apply for LIHEAP today. APPLY FOR LIHEAP LIHEAP FACTS How do I apply for LIHEAP? Depending on preference, different options are available to apply for LIHEAP: Apply online: Pennsylvanians can apply at www.compass.state.pa.us . Paper applications: Call the LIHEAP Helpline at 1-866-857-7095 to request a paper application. Paper applications can also be downloaded from the DHS LIHEAP web page . County Assistance Office (CAO) services are available if clients Read more

 

Harris announces $200,000 grant to provide re-entry support to returning Philadelphians through The Wardrobe

(Oct 05, 2021)

State Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Phila., House Democratic Whip, announced today a $200,000 grant from the Department of Human Services to The Wardrobe, a Philadelphia area nonprofit that fights clothing insecurity for people experiencing barriers to employment.“Helping formally incarcerated individuals get off to a good start is essential to reducing recidivism, and employment is key to creating a sustainable foundation to re-entry,” Harris said. “The Wardrobe has done outstanding work helping Philadelphians and residents in surrounding counties fight clothing insecurity and break through barriers to employment and independence. It’s essential to a person’s self-esteem to look like the person they want to be, and The Wardrobe helps set them on that path.” Read more

 

House Democrats to Republican colleagues: ‘Stop the charade’

(Sep 20, 2021)

House Democratic leadership issued the following statement today calling on legislative Republicans to drop their radical anti-health agenda and come to the table for an honest discussion on helping Pennsylvanians recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.“Pennsylvania is currently experiencing a steady increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations with a positive testing rate that indicates substantial or high community spread of the virus. Our hospital system is strained and emergency rooms in both central Pennsylvania and southwestern Pennsylvania recently have been forced to divert ambulances simply because they couldn’t accept additional patients. Read more

 

Infrastructure bill can make good on Biden-Harris’ pledges for racial equity

(Aug 25, 2021)

Infrastructure is about equity, and as our federal representatives spend the next several weeks in Washington working on President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda, equity must be at the forefront of the discussion on the infrastructure agreement and the budget blueprint, commonly referred to as reconciliation. Writing not only as an elected official but as a citizen who wants to see the economic and social vitality of my community strengthened, I strongly urge Pennsylvania’s entire congressional delegation to support the infrastructure bill and reconciliation for the good of all working people — regardless of what they look like or where they live — across our state. Read more

 

House Democratic Leaders blast social media troll for comparing Black lawmakers to rioters attacking the U.S. Capitol

(Jul 19, 2021)

House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Phila/Delaware, Whip Jordan Harris, D-Phila, and Legislative Black Caucus Chair Donna Bullock, D-Phila., issued the following statement today after an elected official trolled social media for attention by comparing Black lawmakers to the insurrectionists who invaded the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Read more

 

New statewide nonprofit offers support to Black entrepreneurs

(Jun 28, 2021)

When the economy began to shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, Black businesses were hit disproportionately hard. Between February and April 2020, they declined 41 percent, in comparison to 17 percent for White-owned businesses, according to a study from the National Bureau of Economic Research.David Dix, CEO of a Harrisburg-based government relations firm called Luminous Strategies, and Marcia Perry Dix, CEO of Harrisburg public relations firm Perry Media Group, decided to create the Pennsylvania Chamber of Black-Owned Business. Read more

 

General Assembly approves $39.8B budget

(Jun 28, 2021)

The General Assembly has sent Gov. Tom Wolf a $39.8 billion budget that boosts spending for education and transportation but doesn’t spend much of the $7 billion provided to the state through the federal American Rescue Plan.The plan boosts K-12 education funding by $300 million — including $100 million designated for the state’s 100 poorest school districts. The budget also increases the amount of available tax credits for donations to scholarship funds for private school students by $40 million. Read more

 

House Democrats: state budget full of missed opportunities

(Jun 25, 2021)

Make no mistake, there was more good to be done in this budget. While some will call this historic education funding, we don’t need historic, we need transformative funding. Rather than hide this surplus in the Rainy Day Fund, we should’ve used it to help our school districts where it’s already been pouring for far too long. Read more

 

How Policing In Pennsylvania Has Changed In Year Since George Floyd’s Murder

(May 26, 2021)

George Floyd was killed by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin one year ago today. It has been a year of hurt, anger, protests and the beginning of change.His murder is also highlighting very important conversations about being Black in America. Read more

 

Edinboro professors, alumna want more time, details on PASSHE integration plan

(May 24, 2021)

Members of the Edinboro University community told the House Democratic Policy Committee Thursday that consolidating six state schools, including Edinboro, into two would result in a loss of identity, place local communities at risk, and fail to address the core problems facing higher education. Read more

 

House Democratic Leaders Call on GOP Leaders to “Free the Funds”
Mar 10, 2022

Gov. Wolf Pushes For $200 Million Scholarship Program to Help Community and State College Students
Feb 22, 2022

House Democrats applaud investments in people put forth in governor’s budget
Feb 08, 2022

Reps. Joanna McClinton, Matt Bradford and Jordan Harris: Coming together for a brighter future for Pa.
Feb 03, 2022

Kinsey seeks solutions for problems in Pa. prison system
Jan 26, 2022

Harris announces $525,000 DCNR grant for Vare Recreation Center
Dec 30, 2021

McClinton, Harris announce $2.6 million to build a new boathouse and workshop in Bartram’s Garden
Dec 07, 2021

Harris announces $250,000 grant for Vare Recreation Center
Nov 19, 2021

House Democratic Caucus condemns House Republican interference in Lehigh Valley election
Nov 19, 2021

House Democrats unveil Propel PA plan to strengthen economic climate
Nov 10, 2021

LIHEAP: Expanded Home-Heating Assistance is Available to PA Renters, Homeowners
Nov 04, 2021

Harris announces $200,000 grant to provide re-entry support to returning Philadelphians through The Wardrobe
Oct 05, 2021

House Democrats to Republican colleagues: ‘Stop the charade’
Sep 20, 2021

Infrastructure bill can make good on Biden-Harris’ pledges for racial equity
Aug 25, 2021

House Democratic Leaders blast social media troll for comparing Black lawmakers to rioters attacking the U.S. Capitol
Jul 19, 2021

New statewide nonprofit offers support to Black entrepreneurs
Jun 28, 2021

General Assembly approves $39.8B budget
Jun 28, 2021

House Democrats: state budget full of missed opportunities
Jun 25, 2021

How Policing In Pennsylvania Has Changed In Year Since George Floyd’s Murder
May 26, 2021

Edinboro professors, alumna want more time, details on PASSHE integration plan
May 24, 2021