In November, Pennsylvanians chose democracy and opposed partisan political grandstanding. They said ‘no’ to repealing reproductive rights. And they realized that the old way of doing things here in Harrisburg was no longer working. The system – and all who supported it – didn’t seem to have all our best interests in mind. The system was more than fractured – it was broken. In January and officially in February, we ushered in a new way of governing – a House Democratic majority. We restructured our leadership team, and my colleagues elected me to be first female speaker of the House. What an honor! More importantly, our caucus has remained true to our principles. In the first week of our leadership, we passed impactful legislation that would give survivors of child sex abuse a pathway to justice by changing the statute of limitations laws. State Rep. Mark Rozzi penned for this legislation while he was speaker of the House, and I’m grateful to say that the legislation had overwhelming bipartisan support. It’s now up to the state Senate to protect these survivors and help us hold these abusers and the institutions that protected them accountable by passing this legislation. House Democrats have also brought reform to Harrisburg by adopting new operating rules that influence how the state House works. This reform package will restore fairness that has been missing for many years and make Pennsylvania’s Read more
In early March, Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his first budget address to the General Assembly. Following his proposal, it was clear that his vision for the future of the commonwealth was one that had the best interests of all Pennsylvanians in mind. From fair funding for education to raising the minimum wage, the governor outlined a proposal that addresses systematic issues that have been neglected by the majority party in the state House and Senate in years past. Given our new House majority , we’re working toward a final budget that addresses many of the key topics in the governor’s proposal because these are the same issues the House Democratic Caucus has advocated for in the past and continues to fight for today: better jobs, better schools, and safer communities. I was especially encouraged by Shapiro’s roadmap to fairly fund education across the board, regardless of a student’s ZIP code. His proposal would more equitably fund public schools, while also earmarking state dollars to repair crumbling and unsafe schools, bolster apprenticeship programs, address mental health, and expand nutrition programs to combat hunger. Fixing the issues that have plagued our education system for generations will take time, but I’m confident we now have the support to work toward a solution that will give every student the opportunity and resources to succeed in the classroom. Our youngest neighbors – students Read more
Neighbors – don’t miss tomorrow’s Mental Health Event! Read more
From the first woman to serve as speaker of the Pennsylvania House to a local woman who started her own school, FOX 29 is celebrating women who are paving the way during Women's History Month. Read more
WGAL News 8's Jeremy Jenkins spoke with House Speaker Joanna McClinton about her upbringing, as well as her career in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 28 – Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, today announced $5.2 million in funding earmarked for transportation and infrastructure projects throughout the 191 st Legislative District. “Ensuring our community has access to funding like this has been a cornerstone of my time in office, and I remain committed to making sure we leave no stone unturned when searching for new opportunities to invest in the lives of our neighbors and their families,” McClinton said. “I look forward to the completion of these projects and the benefits that will follow.” The funding, awarded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, includes: $350,000 to Yeadon Borough for a streetscape project that would enhance the business district on Church Lane between Whitby Avenue and Guenther Avenue. $500,000 to the City of Philadelphia for a streetscape project along Woodland Avenue. $1 million to Darby Borough for a sanitary sewer upgrade project on N. 2 nd Street. $500,000 to Yeadon Borough to construct a recreation center on Chester Avenue. $359,278 to Darby Borough for the purchasing of police vehicles. $1 million to ACHIEVEability in West Philadelphia for its 60 th Street Spruce Up program. The funding will be used to install streetlights along 60 th Street. $560,213 to construct a path connecting the Schuylkill River Trail to 61 st Street in Philadelphia. Read more
It’s important we take as much time to nurture our mental health as we do to nurture our physical health. Read more
I’ve been thinking lately about the late K. Leroy Irvis, who was the first African American to serve as a House speaker in Pennsylvania and the first Black man since Reconstruction to serve in that position in any statehouse in the country. Read more
Neighbors – don’t miss tonight’s Southwest Philly Community Meeting! Read more
Women’s History Month got off to a great start this year – as the first ever woman Speaker of the House, Representative Joanna McClinton, was elected and sworn in! Read more
Since it was first established as a commonwealth on Dec. 12, 1787, the state governance of Pennsylvania, while figuring prominently in the birth of the country, has served as a microcosm of what happens in the hallowed halls of legislation in every state in the nation. Read more
Neighbors – Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his first budget address this week to the General Assembly! Read more
HARRISBURG, March 8 – This week, Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, announced the members of the House Democratic Caucus who will serve as majority chairs for the state House’s 24 standing committees for the 2023-24 legislative session. “House committees are where the hard work gets done - where legislation is refined and where there are public hearings before bills advance to the full House for consideration,” McClinton said. “Committee work is the cornerstone of the legislative process, and I am confident that these dedicated leaders will govern their committees with fairness and professionalism.” Aging and Older Adult Services – Rep. Patty Kim, D-Dauphin/Cumberland. Agriculture and Rural Affairs– Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne. Appropriations – Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Phila. Children and Youth – Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila. Commerce – Rep. John Galloway, D-Bucks. Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities– Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver. Education – Rep. Pete Schweyer, D-Lehigh. Environmental Resources and Energy - Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware. Finance – Rep. Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton. Game and Fisheries – Rep. Anita Kulik, D-Allegheny. Gaming Oversight – Rep. Pat Harkins, D-Erie. Health – Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny. Housing and Community Development – Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. Human Services Read more
Philadelphia state Rep. Joanna McClinton on Tuesday became the first woman to serve as speaker of the Pennsylvania House, ascending to the chamber’s top position on the strength of a fresh one-vote Democratic majority. Read more
Philly state Rep. Joanna McClinton made history on Tuesday, becoming the first woman and second Black person to ever serve as speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Read more
State Rep. Joanna McClinton made history at just the right time – on the last day of Black History month, with Women’s History Month dawning the next day. Read more
Neighbors – Are you looking for ways to cut your utility costs? If so, the Southwest Energy Forum is great a way to learn how to lower your utility bills throughout the year. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 28 – Today state Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, was elected the first woman to serve as speaker of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives in the chamber’s near 250-year history. During remarks in the House chamber, McClinton acknowledged the history being made and her commitment to bipartisanship. She thanked her colleagues for their support. “In my career, I’ve been blessed to achieve other ‘firsts’ in this chamber, and I am equally honored to serve as this historic body’s first woman speaker,” McClinton said. “I stand before you today, humbled and honored to be elected your speaker, and most importantly, my election today makes me more hopeful about the future of our commonwealth and our communities. “I’m confident if we collaborate rather than criticize, debate rather than disparage and replace shortsighted political gain with sincere cooperation - this body can do better - and will do better. Today can be our fresh start. Each of us is here because our neighbors have placed their trust in us. And that collective trust is what empowers us to act in the interest of our communities and to advance Pennsylvania for the common good.” McClinton , who was first elected in 2015, represents communities in west and southwest Philadelphia and Yeadon and Darby boroughs in Delaware County. Before being elected, she served as assistant public defender for seven Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 24 – State House Democrats in Delaware County today are congratulating five regional libraries for earning competitive state awards to improve their facilities. The libraries were each one of only 21 libraries in 15 counties to receive the state Department of Education grants. Darby Library Co., $728,726 Norwood Public Library, $14,811 Rachel Kohl Community Library, $190,398 Radnor Public Library, $47,000 Yeadon Public Library, $26,415 “Our libraries benefit the public with outstanding programs and services, and I congratulate the librarians and staff who put in so much hard work earning these awards,” House Majority Leader Joanna McClinton said. “This funding represents taxpayer money reinvested in our communities and expands reading and learning in Delco. It’s an outstanding win-win.” “Thank you to the Shapiro administration for this investment in Norwood and all of our communities,” state Rep. Dave Delloso said. “These competitive grants reflect highly on the great work that our library employees conduct every day for their neighbors.” “Congratulations are in order for Radnor and the rest of these amazing Delco libraries on funding hard fought and earned,” state Rep. Lisa Borowski said. “Libraries are one of the most valuable resources in a community, and I look forward to seeing the many returns on this investment for Read more
Neighbors – I write this week in support of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. State legislators have a unique opportunity this week to advance a bill to help these survivors seek the justice they deserve. Read more
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