HARRISBURG, Jan. 28 – Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton has appointed Frank Dermody to serve on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for the next two years. The board comprises seven members, three chosen by the governor and four by legislative caucus leaders. It ensures the integrity of legalized gaming in Pennsylvania through strict enforcement of law and regulations and the licensing of qualified individuals and entities. “Frank Dermody has been a respected leader in Pennsylvania for many years and I’m pleased that he agreed to continue his public service at the Gaming Control Board. He participated in setting the legislative foundation for our gaming industry, which has grown in just over a decade to become a national leader. Frank’s legal background and legislative experience are outstanding assets for his work as a gaming regulator.” Dermody, a resident of Oakmont in Allegheny County, served in the House of Representatives for 30 years, including 10 years as the House Democratic leader. Before his legislative service, he was an assistant district attorney and magisterial district judge. He also served on the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing for 19 years, including 12 years as the commission’s chairman. In 1994 Dermody was asked by House leaders to guide the impeachment of a Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice and he prosecuted the case in a trial before the state Senate. Read more
House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton is applauding the awarding of approximately $571.93 million in federal stimulus funds to help strengthen services for students in several of her local schools impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. McClinton said the financial resources will support food programs, technological improvements and other educational services. The funding will be distributed as follows: Philadelphia City School District: $565.9 million. Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School: $2.39 million. Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School: $1.64 million. KIPP West Philadelphia Charter School: $1.36 million. Philadelphia Montessori Charter School: $643,007. "These are challenging times, especially for our students and teachers," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "These federal stimulus dollars are critical in helping ensure our young people have access to the resources they need to continue receiving a quality education whether at home or in the classroom." The federal relief is provided by the bipartisan Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund passed by Congress in December. This round of funding included $2.2 billion in funding distributed to K-12 school districts and Read more
As part of her ongoing fight to enact criminal justice reforms and provide individuals with a second chance, House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton today applauded the team effort that helped more than a dozen of her neighbors get their criminal records sealed in Delaware County. McClinton partnered with state Sen. Anthony Williams, D-Phila./Delaware, and the Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania yesterday for their sixth annual Delaware County Virtual Expungement Clinic to provide legal resources, information and advice to the community. McClinton said of the more than 40 participants, 20 had their criminal records sealed. "I've always been a strong believer that one mistake should not dictate a person's future, and I'm extremely grateful to have community partners who feel the same way," said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. "We've enacted legislation to help individuals move on from the past by providing them with opportunities; however, it's not only about enacting change but making sure people know about it and how it impacts them, which was one of the main purposes of our expungement clinic." "Many people with criminal records don't know the expungement, Clean Slate or pardon laws or where to turn, leaving them feeling trapped," said Erica Briant, supervising attorney of the Community Engagement Unit at Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Read more
Pa. House Democratic Caucus Leader Joanna McClinton joined Governor Tom Wolf to urge the General Assembly to allocate funds that are already available to provide much needed support to Pennsylvania businesses that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 public health crisis. Read more
The same day the president was impeached for inciting a deadly insurrection on the U.S. Capitol, Leader Joanna McClinton joined fellow House leaders to take the first step in restoring the faith of Pennsylvanians by reminding them that the election was free, fair and secure. She explains that accountability must be part of the healing process. Read more
Citing the dangerous lies spread by some Republicans in the General Assembly regarding the 2020 election, House Democratic leaders today released the following statement demanding accountability and responsibility as the nation moves forward:“What we saw last week was nothing short of an attempted coup, instigated not only by the president of the United States but by Republican enablers at all levels of government. Words matter, and the falsehoods, misrepresentations and seditious rantings we’ve heard from some Republican members of the General Assembly can’t go unchallenged. Our nation can’t heal without consequences for the first invasion of the United States Capitol since the War of 1812. Read more
Pa. House Democratic Caucus Leader Joanna McClinton opened the 2021-22 session of the Pa. House of Representatives with a prayer for wisdom and strength in leadership. She also prayed for an end to poli-tricks, games, and turmoil so that all representatives of the people can work together for a brighter future. Read more
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
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