PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 18 – State Reps. Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, and Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., welcomed more than 1,200 constituents of the 191st and 192nd Legislative Districts to the Second Annual 60th Street Health and Wellness Summer Jam, where families could enjoy a day of fun and entertainment. “It was my honor to host the event again this year. We provided health screenings and resources for our constituents, but more importantly we united our communities even more. Communities where back in the days neighbors were not allowed to cross from one side to another,” McClinton said. “This event proves that peace is possible and that communities can come together, grow and thrive.” The Summer Jam began with a March for Peace and included health screenings conducted by Sayre Health Center, Mercy Health System and Penn Medicine; children’s activities, food and refreshments. Philadelphia radio show personality Dezzie hosted live performances that included the African Dance and Drum Ensemble, Carnival, and L&L Dance Company. With more than 50 exhibitors, attendees also had the opportunity to gather information on a variety of local organizations and state programs such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid and the state Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. Congressman Dwight Evans, state Sen. Anthony Williams, state Rep. Donna Bullock and Councilmembers Jannie Blackwell and Curtis Jones Jr. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, July 28 – State Reps. Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, and Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., are proud to announce the 60th Street Health and Wellness Community Summer Jam. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 at 60th Street between Arch and Chestnut streets . It will feature health screenings and resources, children’s activities – including a moon bounce, main stage entertainment, food, refreshments and fun for the whole family. “We are excited to host this event, because it lets us interact with neighbors who want to ask questions and provide feedback on a wide range of matters,” McClinton said. “People from every neighborhood and community in the district are invited to come together to enjoy food, games, entertainment, win prizes, and learn about important community health partners in Philly.” Cephas said, “Often, people aren’t aware of everything that is available to them through the state. My job as a state representative is to help get that information to them, and this event is a great way for me to reach a lot of my constituents while we all enjoy ourselves.” Legislative staff will be available to answer any state-related concerns constituents may have, including on a variety of state programs such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. Local and state agencies will also be available onsite. More information Read more

HARRISBURG, July 27 – State Reps. Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Deleware, and Donna Bullock, D-Phila., announced that they will introduce legislation that would direct Pennsylvania courts to sentence the primary caretakers of children younger than 18 to individualized community-based sentencing programs. The bill would require judges to determine if an offender is the primary caretaker of a child under 18, and if so, to hand down a sentence of non-confinement for low-level and non-violent offenses as long as they do not carry mandatory minimums. The offender would be required to complete a number of rehabilitative services instead of serving time in prison. “The tough-on-crime stances in our Commonwealth are ineffective and are tearing families apart,” McClinton said. “Yes, individuals who break the law should be held accountable. However, if they have committed a low-level, non-violent offense, they should not be sent to prison where they would lose custody of their child.” Over the past 30 years, the number of incarcerated women in the United States increased by over 700 percent, rising from 26,378 in 1980 to 215,332 in 2014. More than 60 percent of women in state prisons are reported to have a child under 18. Incarcerated mothers are forced to either relinquish their child to foster care or place them under the care of relatives. “Incarcerating women for low-level, non-violent offenses has detrimental effects on children,” Read more

Pa. state Rep Joanna McClinton welcomed the Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake to deliver the opening prayer for the Pa. House of Representatives. Read more

Pa. state Rep. Joanna McClinton voted to increase penalties and enforcement against nuisance bars, commonly referred to as “Stop and Gos,” that are a burden on many Philadelphia neighborhoods, dragging down business corridors, hurting communities and lowering quality of life for families. Read more

HARRISBURG, June 13 – A bill introduced by three Philadelphia state representatives to address the issue of "stop and go" nuisance alcohol-selling businesses today advanced out of the Liquor Control Committee to the full House of Representatives. House Bill 1547 was introduced by state Reps. Jordan Harris and Donna Bullock, both D-Phila.; and Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. The bill would allow the state Liquor Control Board to designate saturated nuisance market areas, where violations would be subject to enhanced penalties, fines and suspensions, and allow the board to remove licenses from those areas. Harris said, "While the majority of business owners who sell alcohol are responsible business owners, there are those who have been able to operate using business practices that are not in the best interests of the communities that they provide service to; understanding that, we have created legislation that will provide greater state and municipal oversight of those businesses who have skirted the rule of law and created nuisances in our communities that in many cases have altered the quality of life for those residents who live in the areas these businesses serve." Bullock said: "A key part of this bill is allowing for more coordination between the state and local communities to regulate these nuisance businesses. Under this bill, the Liquor Control Board would be given the authority to look at the number of citations, police Read more

Governor Tom Wolf today voiced his support for House Bill 1190, which proposes a school-based substance abuse prevention and intervention program for all students in grade kindergarten through 12. The legislation is sponsored by Representative Joanna McClinton, 191st legislative district, Philadelphia and Delaware counties. Read more

PHILADELPHIA, May 24 – State Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, welcomed more than 600 constituents of the 191 st Legislative District to her 2017 Community Day, where the whole family could enjoy a day of fun and entertainment. “It was my honor to host the first ever Cobbs Creek Community Day in the school yard of one of our neighborhood elementary schools, Add B. Anderson,” McClinton said. “The purpose of the event was to celebrate community, promote peace in our streets and empower neighbors with resources. I love to hear first-hand what issues our constituents face in their daily lives, and my staff was able to provide on-the-spot assistance.” The event began with a March for Peace that left from the schoolyard of Bryant Elementary School and included health screenings conducted by Penn Medicine and Sayre Health Center, children’s activities provided by Art(is) for Kids, food and refreshments donated by Fred’s Water Ice, HERR’S, WaWa, McDonalds, the Pretzel Factory and Sunshine Supermarket, and live stage entertainment. Attendees also had the opportunity to gather information on a variety of state programs such as CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), Medicaid, and the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. Congressmen Bob Brady and Dwight Evans, state Rep. James Roebuck and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell participated in the event. McClinton said she wanted to thank the Klutch Kings, Motivation High Read more

Pa. state Rep. Joanna McClinton hosted a Community Day for the Cobbs Creek area to bring people together and support peaceful neighborhoods and community. The day began with a March for Peace with Congressman Bob Brady and ended at Anderson Elementary with a fair of information, food and fun. Read more