Before the historic session, House Speaker Joanna McClinton spoke with NBC10’s Lauren Mayk about the upcoming Pennsylvania election, the future of data centers, transit funding and skill games in the latest episode of Battleground Politics. Read more
Not one, but TWO Speakers of the House were in the building! Host Tamala Edwards welcomed both Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Joanna McClinton and Speaker of the Delaware House of Representatives Melissa Minor-Brown. Read more
Addressing the crowd packed into Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia on Thursday, Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton and three other Black House speakers from around the country outlined the steps they’re taking in their state legislatures to safeguard the future of American democracy under President Donald Trump’s administration. Read more
Pennsylvania's House of Representatives convened at Congress Hall in Philadelphia to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the state constitution. Read more
On Thursday morning, Black political leaders from Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois and Delaware met for a conversation on the country’s founding – and its future – at Mother Bethel AME Church, the oldest African Methodist Episcopal congregation in the United States. Read more
Historic PA House Gathering and Panel Discussion with Other State Speakers This week, I participated in two monumental events in Philadelphia. On Wednesday, I presided over the PA House in Congress Hall, the room where sacred documents like the Constitution were debated, in honor of our nation’s 250th birthday. We marked the adoption of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which laid the groundwork for the U.S. Constitution. Then, on Thursday, I hosted a panel discussion with three other African American state House Speakers: Carl Heastie from New York, Melissa Minor-Brown from Delaware and Chris Welch from Illinois. We discussed the state of democracy at 250 years and the work that still needs to be done. Both events were great reminders of the incredible legacy of our great nation and Commonwealth. Next Week: Free Food at my Office My monthly food giveaway, in partnership with Rep. Amen Brown, Sharing Excess and Caring for Friends, will be held on Friday, Sept. 18 from 12-2 p.m., or while supplies last. Come by my district office to pick up fresh, nutritious food! Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 12-2PM or while supplies last My District Office 149 S. 60th St., Philadelphia Symposium for Black/African American Caregivers Read more
Speaker Joanna McClinton's summer 2026 newsletter for residents of Delaware County. Read more
Speaker Joanna McClinton's summer 2026 newsletter for Philadelphia residents. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 9 – Today, the Pennsylvania state House met for a historic legislative session in Independence National Park’s Congress Hall, marking one of the few times the body has met outside of Harrisburg since the early 19th century. Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, presided over the session, which commemorated Pennsylvania’s role in the nation’s founding, as well as the day the new country adopted the official name “United States of America.” Prior to Sept. 9, 1776, it had been known as the United Colonies. During the session, lawmakers voted on two resolutions celebrating the 250th anniversaries of the Declaration of Independence and the adoption of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which laid the groundwork for the U.S. Constitution nearly a decade later. “Today we put aside the labels that traditionally define our institution. Today, rather than Republicans and Democrats, we stand united as Pennsylvanians as we celebrate our commonwealth’s transformative role in the creation of the United States of America,” McClinton said. “Looking back 250 years, it may be tempting to believe that what happened in these hallowed halls was inevitable — that liberty was destined to triumph. But for 250 years, Americans have continued to sacrifice to attain liberty, opportunity and freedom. “Even during challenging times, we must remain a Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 10 – Today, the speakers of the House from Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York and Delaware convened for a candid conversation about the state of democracy at the historic Mother Bethel AME church. The gathering, A More Perfect Union: from Independence to Inclusion, 250 years of American Democracy, was hosted by Pennsylvania Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware, and was facilitated by WURD radio host and Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Solomon Jones. McClinton organized the event as part of the state House’s celebration of the nation’s anniversary, and it followed a historic meeting of the state House that McClinton presided over in Congress Hall on Sept. 9. Joining McClinton were Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (Illinois), Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown (Delaware), and Speaker Carl Heastie (New York). The conversation touched on topics as far ranging as the dismantling of the display at Philadelphia’s President’s House by the Trump administration earlier this year to maternal health to combatting the White House’s attacks on voting rights. A bipartisan group of city and state officials attended, as well as school groups from Motivation High School and Vision Charter Academy, and members of the Dennis family, the owners of a 153-acre farm that has been continuously owned by the same free African American family since it was founded and Read more
Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Joanna McClinton ( D- 191st Dist.) has announced that the state House will convene for a historic meeting in Philadelphia’s Congress Hall on Sept. 9 to commemorate the nation’s anniversary. Read more
Free Back-to-School Supplies and Fresh Produce Jefferson Health Plans is holding a Menstrual Meetup and Free Produce Pop-Up on Aug. 29 at the Community Wellness Center to promote a healthy start to the school year. Stop by for free school supplies, hygiene products and fresh food. Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026 Menstrual Meetup: 11AM-2PM | Produce Pop-Up: 1PM-4PM Community Wellness Center 6232 Market St. Philadelphia Keep Children Up-to-Date on Vaccines with this Community Youth Vaccine Clinic Do your children have all the vaccines they need for school? Penn Medicine is partnering with Mother Bethel AME Church to hold a Community Youth Vaccine Clinic on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 1-4 p.m. Please register in advance and bring your insurance card and photo ID. Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026 1-4PM Mother Bethel AME Church 419 S. 6th Street Philadelphia Eligible for a Clean Slate? Get Legal Assistance at my Expungement Clinic I am hosting an expungement clinic on Saturday, Aug. 29 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Motivation High School. To be eligible, you must bring your case information, including a copy of court records or minute orders. You must not be in violation, on Read more
Get Ready for the School Year with my School Supplies Distribution Join me for my Back-to-School Drive and Food Distribution tomorrow, August 21 from 12 p.m.-3 p.m., while supplies last. There will be free school supplies, food and fun, and my staff will be available to provide educational resources. Please note, children must be present to receive supplies. Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 12PM-3PM 149 S. 60th St., Philadelphia Get Ready for the School Year with my School Supplies Distribution Join William Penn School District and me for a Back-to-School Kickoff at Penn Wood Middle School on Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., while supplies last. There will be free school supplies, a used uniform giveaway and a vaccine clinic, plus a chance to meet your child’s principals and teachers! Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 5:30PM-7PM Penn Wood Middle School Gym 121 Summit St. Darby Free Back-to-School Menstrual Products and Produce Jefferson Health Plans is holding a Menstrual Meetup and Free Produce Pop-Up on Aug. 29 at the Community Wellness Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 20 – Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Phila/Delaware, is convening her colleagues Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (Illinois), Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown (Delaware), and Speaker Carl Heastie (New York) for a panel discussion at the historic Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia in September. The event A More Perfect Union: from Independence to Inclusion, 250 years of American Democracy will be a candid discussion on the history, current state and future of democracy in America. WHO : Speakers Joanna McClinton (Pa.), Emanuel “Chris” Welch (Ill.), Melissa Minor-Brown (Del.), and Speaker Carl Heastie (N.Y.). WHAT: A More Perfect Union: from Independence to Inclusion, 250 years of American Democracy Panel Discussion . WHEN: 10 – 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 10. WHERE: Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia. Tickets are free, but advanced registration is required. Those interested can visit McClinton’s Eventbrite for more information and to sign up. Media wishing to attend should contact Nicole Reigelman at nreigelman@pahouse.net . This event is being held in conjunction with the historic convening of the state House in Congress Hall on Sept. 9, and America250PA is an event partner. Other partners include: the Pennsylvania Black Caucus | United Way of Greater Pittsburgh | Black Democratic Women of Montgomery County | Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) – Read more
McClinton: PA House Democratic Caucus to expand its majority HARRISBURG, Aug. 19 – Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, D-Phila/Delaware, said that next month the state House will welcome Rep.-elect Brandon Dukes, a Democrat from Butler County in western Pennsylvania. When Dukes is sworn in to the House in September, the body will have 103 Democrats and 100 Republicans and will mark the first time Democrats have surpassed 102 seats, since they won control of the chamber in 2022. “Our caucus has kept its promise to put working families, seniors and students first since securing the majority nearly four years ago,” McClinton said. “Since then, we’ve cut taxes seven times for seniors, families and small businesses, delivered record funding to our public schools, and brought compassion, stability and common sense to governing at a time when our neighbors are reeling from the chaos in Washington.” McClinton said she and her colleagues have worked alongside Gov. Josh Shapiro to boost the state’s economy and make life more affordable by helping seniors save on their property tax bill, creating a new tax credit for Pennsylvania’s workers, and cutting more than $1.5 billion in business taxes. “By strengthening our majority, we will continue advancing policies that make a real difference in people’s lives — from curbing the growth of new data centers and investing in our schools and communities to Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 18 – Pennsylvania House Democratic Leaders issued the following statement on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s executive order to hold data center developers accountable and protect Pennsylvanians: “Governor Shapiro’s executive order puts strong, commonsense requirements in place that will hold data center developers accountable and protect our communities, utility costs and environment. “This executive action is necessary, given the Senate Republicans’ inability to advance any legislation to rein in this growing industry. It also builds on the work House Democrats have already advanced through the passage of multiple bipartisan bills to give communities more control, prevent electricity rate hikes, protect clean water, and much more. While these measures to hold big tech accountable sit languishing in the Senate, Governor Shapiro is taking strong, meaningful and comprehensive action. We commend him on his leadership and for putting Pennsylvanians first.” Read more
Delaware County Health Department Back-to-School Fair The Delaware County Health Department is holding a Back-to-School Fair on Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Delaware County Wellness Center in Yeadon. Get ready for your child's upcoming school year with vaccines, haircuts, school supplies and more. Registration is required for backpacks and immunizations and can be done here . Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026 10AM-2PM Delaware County Wellness Center 125 Chester Ave., Yeadon Kids Smiles Annual Back to School Bash Kids Smiles will host its annual Back to School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 15. Members of my team will be on-site to help you with state related issues and to check your eligibility for state programs. Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026 11AM-2PM Kids Smiles 5828 Market St., Philadelphia Get Ready for the School Year with my School Supplies Distribution Join me for my Back-to-School Drive and Food Distribution on Friday, August 21 from 12 p.m.-3 p.m., while supplies last. There will be free school supplies, food and fun, and my staff will be available to provide educational resources. Please note, children must be present to receive supplies. Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 12 – Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Joanna McClinton, D-Phila/Delaware, announced today that the state House will convene for a historic meeting in Philadelphia’s Congress Hall on Sept. 9 to commemorate the nation’s anniversary. During the session, lawmakers will vote on two resolutions celebrating the 250th anniversaries of the Declaration of Independence and the adoption of the Pennsylvania Constitution, which laid the groundwork for the U.S. Constitution nearly a decade later. “From the colonial era through our work today, Pennsylvania’s legislators have helped steer the course of our state and nation,” McClinton said. “September’s historic meeting will celebrate the state House’s central role in the country’s founding and honor the enduring importance of representative government.” McClinton said that in addition to legislative business, the state House is collaborating with America250PA to offer a civic education program to more than 80 students from across Pennsylvania. “This legislative session, coupled with America250PA’s student initiative, is a historic opportunity to reflect on our remarkable history, with an eye toward creating a stronger future for everyone,” McClinton added. “We’re grateful to Speaker McClinton and the Pennsylvania House for their partnership,” said Cassandra Coleman, executive director of Read more
In celebration of America's 250th anniversary, please join Speaker Joanna McClinton of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, along with Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch of Illinois, Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown of Delaware and Speaker Carl E. Heastie of New York for a historic and candid panel discussion on the history, current state and future of democracy in America. Register for this free event here. Read more
State Rep. Joanna McClinton will be holding an Expungement Fair on Aug. 29 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Motivation High School. Bring your case information, including a copy of your court records/minute orders. Attendees must not be in violation, on parole or probation in order to be eligible. There is limited space available so please register before Aug. 28 here. Read more
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