HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 -- The PA House Democratic Caucus leadership team issued a joint statement today as state legislators formally began the 2021-22 Legislative Session: “With 202 members of the House of Representatives due to be sworn in, we celebrate the diversity of our great state and reflect on the shared values common to almost all Pennsylvanians. Yet we also mourn the tragic loss of Representative Mike Reese, whose sudden passing reminded all of us how precious life is. “The importance of the top priorities that House Democrats have consistently promoted -- good jobs with fair pay, quality schools, affordable housing, accessible health care, a safe environment and protection of democracy -- are being highlighted and tested in many ways during this devastating pandemic. “We see the beginning of this new legislative session as a chance to elevate people over partisanship and make gains toward these common goals in all of Pennsylvania’s unique communities – east and west, large and small, urban, suburban and rural. “Democrats in the House hope that our Republican partners will work with us to help people stay in jobs, get back to work and go to school safely; equip healthcare workers properly to battle this pandemic; ensure Pennsylvanians are not evicted from their homes in the middle of a public health crisis; and send targeted relief to the many businesses ravaged by this pandemic. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 2 – House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Phila/Delaware, issued the following statement on the passing of state Rep. Mike Reese, R-Westmoreland. “Our hearts are broken at the tragic, untimely loss of our colleague, and we urge every Pennsylvanian to join us in keeping his wife and young children in our prayers. In his time in the legislature Rep. Reese distinguished himself with dedication and decency in all things. He was taken far too soon, and his loss is a loss for our entire commonwealth.” Read more
HARRISBURG , Dec. 31 – House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, along with state Reps. Jordan Harris and Malcom Kenyatta, both D-Phila., announced this week that the African Cultural Alliance of North America was awarded a $3 million state grant for a development project. “The project being undertaken by ACANA is important in so many ways for the residents of the entire area, and we need to ensure organizations like this are funded for much-needed projects,” McClinton said. “We are in a very difficult time now and we can’t let their projects fall by the wayside. They provide services for our Black and Brown communities that are often out of reach but so very necessary. I was happy to work with my colleagues, Representatives Harris and Kenyatta, to make this happen and appreciate Governor Wolf’s recognizing the importance of projects like this throughout the commonwealth.” ACANA will erect an anchor facility for economic development and cultural needs in Southwest Philadelphia. The Africa Center will be a multi-story building to house community space, office space, retail space and community health services. In future phases, it is anticipated that ACANA will construct three additional floors of a market-rate residential tower. ACANA is a nonprofit organization that serves African and Caribbean immigrants by providing access to social and legal services, community Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 29 – State representatives and senators from Delaware County applauded a $1.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program award to strengthen the county’s 911 system. Through bipartisan efforts, elected officials helped secure grants to benefit more than 560,000 Pennsylvanians and help Delaware County’s first responders. This project will strengthen the security and reliability of the county’s public safety communication system. This includes 24 tower upgrades to provide acceptable county-wide communication coverage, shelter structures, an ice bridge, grounding, electric, HVAC, core work additions and 911 center equipment to communicate effectively in emergency situations with citizens, first responders and with surrounding counties in southeastern Pennsylvania. “Calling 911 and receiving a timely response has been an issue for years throughout Delaware County,” House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Delaware/Phila., said. “Thankfully, this funding will help streamline our communications system to ensure that residents in crisis can quickly receive help and support. I’m proud to see lawmakers from both the House and Senate, Democrat and Republican, come together for the safety of the people we represent.” “I’ve heard from many constituents about frustrations they’ve experienced with calling 911 since 2016,” Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 23 – House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton announced today that the Caring People Alliance was awarded $2 million in grant money for the purchase and renovation of a new building for their Cobbs Creek Boys and Girls Club. The purchase and renovation will create seven classrooms, updating four to meet Pre-K requirements and renovate an outdoor space. The building will be wired for digital learning and a digital classroom. A kitchen and laundry facilities will also be added as well as showers in the gym. “A project like this cannot be looked at as anything but essential for the children it will serve,” McClinton said. “Especially at a time like this in our history where we have seen the catastrophic results of a global pandemic, and people are hurting in ways that are unfathomable, this goes right to the heart of helping our kids not only now but in the future as they in fact are our future. “With a safe and state-of-the-art place to learn and play, the Caring People Alliance’s Cobbs Creek Boys and Girls Club will be able to continue to do the good work that it does and ensure they will do it for years to come,” she added. Caring People Alliance provides a wide range of services to residents in West, North and South Philadelphia as well as operates the Early Learning Resource Center for Region 18, which is a single point of contact for families, early learning providers and communities. Read more
House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton is working to help local seniors and students have a safe and happy holiday amid ongoing concerns of the COVID-19 virus. As part of her Holiday Health and Wellness Mobile Expo on Tuesday, McClinton teamed up with Independence Blue Cross and Gateway Health to secure and distribute personal protective equipment, cookies, word games and information about state resources to more than 300 of her wisest neighbors at Walnut Park Plaza, Paschal Homes and outside her district office. On the same day, McClinton joined Hope Bag Mission to deliver toys they collected for students attending the satellite support center at Francis J. Myers Recreation Center. "This holiday season is certainly different from years past, but that doesn't mean we can't find ways to still connect our most vulnerable neighbors with supplies aimed at helping them celebrate safely," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "I've said it once and it's worth repeating: I am so proud to have community partners and a staff who share my commitment to putting the people of Southwest Philly and Delco first. These events would not be possible without them." Ahead of Thanksgiving last month, McClinton worked with King Saladeen and Fresh Direct to give away hundreds of free turkeys safely to her neighbors in need across the 191st Legislative District. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 23 – House Democratic leaders pledged support for Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to transfer $145 million in funds to directly help businesses across the state hit hard by the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, while also renewing their call to support families facing eviction. This as Republicans redirected $108 million in CARES Act money intended to help renters and homeowners to instead offset costs from the Department of Corrections. “Since before this terrible pandemic started, we’ve been fighting to help people in our communities, including small businesses and the people who work at and rely on those businesses. So, today’s announcement from the governor is definitely welcome,” Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Delaware/Phila., said. “But we know that businesses can’t succeed without customers, and people who are forced to put most of their income into housing expenses can’t afford to be customers. A rising tide should lift all boats, so House Democrats are also committed to ensuring that money is made available as soon as possible to help those struggling to pay their rent. We cannot leave them behind.” “We’ve been telling people they can save lives and save local businesses by staying home and ordering in, but you can’t deliver a meal to someone who doesn’t have a home address,” House Democratic Whip Jordan Harris, D-Phila., said. “The Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 23 – House Democratic leaders announced the introduction of new operating rules for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to adopt when the 2021-22 legislative session begins on Tuesday, Jan. 5. These proposed rules prioritize the safety of the public and communities while ensuring that legislators are able to continue to serve all Pennsylvanians. As we ask workers at every level to mask up and do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19, we must do the same ourselves, Democratic leaders said. Democrats’ proposed temporary rules to help mitigate the virus include: Requiring all members to wear masks over the mouth and nose in accordance with CDC guidelines while conducting official business, including during House session and committee meetings. If a legitimate medical condition precludes a member from wearing a traditional cloth mask, a plastic full-face shield would be required. Mask-wearing was recommended in 2020 by the PA House Bipartisan Management Committee, but never became a House rule and was subsequently disregarded by many Republicans. Requiring all members to have their temperature checked before in-person attendance at committee meetings or on the House floor. Ensuring full transparency and full representation of all Pennsylvanians by giving all members, including those not physically present, the ability to use video conferencing to speak on bills and be heard by the full body, as the Pennsylvania Read more
We are at a crossroads as a commonwealth and a nation as we battle the most serious and deadly surge of coronavirus cases to date. Despite a White House that has focused all its attention on making baseless claims to undermine election results, the CDC continues to urge Americans to avoid gathering this holiday season to slow the spread and save lives. It’s a tall order and significant sacrifice for all of us as we grapple with the thought of not seeing friends and family members. It truly didn’t have to be this way if our leaders had worked together from the start. We know the pandemic has been grossly mismanaged at the federal level with disastrous effects. Here at home, Republicans who have held the majority in our state legislature for the last decade have spent 10 months trying every trick in their book to undermine our governor, our health professionals and a preponderance of the medical and scientific evidence that has guided Pennsylvania's pandemic response. Most recently, many have joined President Trump in his fruitless quest to disenfranchise Pennsylvania voters -- landing themselves, once again, on the wrong side of history. Even in Georgia, where President-elect Biden won by a much slimmer margin than in Pennsylvania, GOP legislators resisted the urge to pander to an inflamed mob and, instead, discharged their constitutional duty responsibly and faithfully. They didn’t take part in the Rudy Giuliani traveling COVID super-spreader Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 18 – House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton announced today that Bartram's Garden is receiving a $40,000 state grant to aid in their ongoing efforts to connect young people with the Schuylkill River. Known as a Coastal Zone Grant, McClinton said the funding was made possible by the Department of Environmental Protection and will be used to invest in Bartram's Garden's Schuylkill River Youth Crew, which is made up of local youth who: Learn about the Schuylkill watershed and river safety. Study community organizing and environmental justice. Lead community-driven research and data collection. "Our young people are the future, and educating them early on in life about the importance of putting our environment first is critical in keeping our fight going to combat climate change and ensure everyone has access to clean air and water," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "I commend Bartram's Garden for creating such a great program that transforms participants into leaders with the ambition to not only protect our waterways but encourage others to do the same." SRYC also engages in a variety of river-related activities, including kayaking, water quality monitoring and wildlife observation. Coastal Zone Grants are awarded to projects related to fisheries, wetlands, stormwater management improvements, recreation, public education, coastal hazards such Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 11 – Following news of the governor’s most recent mitigation efforts and hearing Republicans rebuke these safety efforts, Pennsylvania House Democratic leaders released this statement today: “As cases of COVID-19 surge throughout Pennsylvania and our hospitals become increasingly strained, the decision made by Governor Tom Wolf was a difficult but necessary choice that will undoubtedly save lives. We understand the economic impact this will have on many local businesses and are angry and frustrated that our Republican colleagues, who have held majorities in the House and Senate for years -- and through this pandemic -- continue to choose political gamesmanship over providing meaningful relief to this commonwealth. “We had an opportunity to provide $1.3 billion in relief to those impacted by this pandemic -- to provide relief to farmers, childcare providers, veterans, local restaurants, frontline workers, wineries, breweries, distillers and more. Republican leaders did not bring a single one of those bills to the floor for a vote. Relief funding should be used to set up contingencies for if and when virus mitigation efforts will need to be implemented. Instead, Republican leaders chose to use it to close funding gaps in the budget. “Unfortunately, what was left undone by our colleagues has left these industries floundering again, this time wondering how they will make it through the holidays during a deeply strained time. Read more
House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton released the following statement in response to news of Gov. Tom Wolf testing positive for COVID-19. "I want to extend my sincere wishes and prayers that Governor Wolf has a speedy and complete recovery from COVID-19. I am grateful he appears to be asymptomatic and is taking the proper precautions to help stop the spread and protect others from contracting the virus by self-quarantining. "His positive test is a stark reminder that no one is immune to COVID-19 and is even more of a reason for everyone to wear a mask, social distance and stay home unless it's absolutely necessary to go out. "These actions are needed now more than ever as hospitals across the commonwealth are overwhelmed with coronavirus patients, leaving few beds in their intensive care units, while doctors and nurses are left fighting tirelessly to keep up. This is also a time when Pennsylvania is continuously reporting a record number of cases. "As House Democratic Leader, I am committed to working with my colleagues in Harrisburg to connect all Pennsylvanians with the resources they need to get through this pandemic safely. In turn, I am calling on all Pennsylvanians to help us flatten the curve by following the steps laid out by our health experts. "No one said this would be easy, but if we work together, we will get through this safely, together,” McClinton said. Read more
The presidential election is over. It was conducted fairly and the result is final. Read more
House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton teamed up with Walmart on Tuesday to present three local nonprofits with $2,000 each in grant funding to aid their ongoing efforts in putting the needs of her most vulnerable neighbors first. "This is about supporting those who work tirelessly to support individuals most in need," said Leader McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "From teenagers and young adults to individuals re-entering society after serving their time, each of these organizations has proven a true commitment and desire to never give up on our most vulnerable populations, and provide them with the opportunities that give them the best chance to succeed." McClinton said the funding was made possible through the Walmart Foundation's community grants program and went to: Gateway to Re-entry. New Options More Opportunity. We REIGN Inc. "I am proud to have partners like Walmart who understand the importance of connecting critical resources to groups and programs that strive to make a difference in our community," McClinton explained. More information about the Walmart Foundation and the grant opportunities it offers can be found on its website . Photos of the check presentations can be Read more
The facts are clear: Pennsylvania had a free, fair, and secure election. It was executed with the utmost integrity by our elections officials in every county and a cohort of poll workers across the state. Read more
With an increasing number of Pennsylvanians falling victim to severe flooding, House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton is joining Gov. Tom Wolf and other state leaders in demanding action to address climate change. "Perpetual flooding sparked by climate change continues crippling this commonwealth, and I won't sit idly by as the homes and businesses of my neighbors in Southwest Philly, Delco and across Pennsylvania are left picking up the pieces," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "Just this week, my communities had to contend with severe weather and even the threat of a tornado. The fact is we have the power to protect our neighborhoods and prevent further damage." McClinton joined Wolf for a virtual news conference yesterday, where he announced a plan to address flood hazard mitigation by requiring the State Planning Board to develop a series of recommendations and best practices relative to land use, planning, zoning and stormwater management, with the emphasis on reducing the incidence of flash flooding in communities that impacts residents and businesses. The State Planning Board will establish state goals and strategic investments to assist municipalities, which will then be incorporated by state agencies into their appropriate funding applications. "I applaud the governor for taking these steps to get Pennsylvania on the right track," explained McClinton. "As the new House Democratic leader, I am committed to Read more
From laying out her priorities as the next Leader of the House Democratic Caucus to important COVID-19 resources, it's all in state Rep. Joanna McClinton's latest newsletter. Read more
With new modeling projecting 22,000 new COVID-19 cases per day in Pennsylvania in December, Gov. Tom Wolf and Sec. of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced new targeted mitigation measures to help stop the spread during this critical time. Read more
In her ongoing effort to help her neighbors have a happy and safe Thanksgiving, state Rep. Joanna McClinton teamed up with community leaders to distribute hundreds of free turkeys safely to families in need in Philadelphia and Delaware County. McClinton partnered with King Saladeen to give away approximately 500 turkeys at Myers Recreation Center on Saturday. Just a day earlier, her office worked with Fresh Direct to distribute more than 100 turkeys to individuals at the Darby Recreation Center. "COVID-19 may have changed how we deliver resources but it's not stopping us from delivering resources," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "Families need our help more than ever. I commend our community partners for joining us in taking the precautions necessary to ensure people can feed their loved ones this Thanksgiving." McClinton added mask wearing, social distancing and other CDC guidelines were enforced during both events. Read more
Check out state Rep. Joanna McClinton's latest op-ed, featuring her ongoing fight to instill the real change needed to ensure Walter Wallace Jr. doesn't become a forgotten statistic Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates.
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email Rep. Joanna E. McClinton.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.
149 South 60 St.Philadelphia, PA 19139-3039
P*: (215) 748-6712
F*: (215) 748-1687
Hours of Operation - 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
139 Main CapitolPO Box 202191Harrisburg, PA 17120
P*: (717) 772-9850
F*: (717) 783-1516