Six months ago, the Pennsylvania State House elected its first woman speaker as Democrats took control of the House in Harrisburg.Joanna McClinton has had a meteoric rise in politics. First elected in 2015, the former Philadelphia public defender quickly became her party's caucus leader, then minority leader of the state House and now the first woman speaker. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 23 – State Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, and colleagues from the PLBC today commemorated the 45th anniversary of the inauguration of the late Speaker K. Leroy Irvis with a day of action. “This inaugural day of action not only commemorates the accomplishments of the first and only Black speaker in the Pennsylvania legislature to date,” Bullock said, “but it is also an opportunity to amplify the voices of Black Pennsylvanians and the issues that are important to our communities." Irvis was born in New York and graduated from the State University of New York at Albany. He moved to Baltimore and taught high school English and history until World War II. He was a civilian flying instructor for the War Department. After, he settled in Pittsburgh where he earned a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh. In 1958, he was elected to the state legislature, eventually being elected by his peers as speaker of the House. He served in the legislature for 15 consecutive terms. “Forty-five years after his historic election as House Speaker, K. Leroy Irvis’s leadership is still felt by countless Pennsylvanians. He was a man of great character who forged a path that many of us have worked to emulate,” said House Democratic Leader, Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Phila/Delaware. “To fully recognize his contributions, we should view Speaker Irvis’s legacy Read more
Pa. House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton joined House and Senate colleagues to announce $13.8 million in health equity funding. Read more
Pa. House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton is holding her weekly Curbside Resource Fair. Read more
Pa. House Democratic Joanna McClinton is joining fellow lawmakers to crackdown on illegal ATV and dirt bike riders that continue putting the safety of communities across Pennsylvania in danger. Read more
Lawmakers from across Pennsylvania attended a hearing today about ATV riders and dirt bike enthusiasts taking to the streets, terrorizing law-abiding traffic, and threatening their own safety and anyone in their path. Read more
“All year, Pennsylvania’s revenues have come in much higher than anticipated, leading to a historic surplus of $4.5 billion so far this fiscal year. The General Assembly should seize the opportunity to invest in our kids as Governor Wolf proposed in his budget, while still prudently maintaining the $2.8 billion we have in state savings and planning to use the $2.1 billion remaining from the American Rescue Plan wisely to help Pennsylvanians with an eye toward the future. Read more
Pa. House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton and other lawmakers are renewing their effort to create a statewide rape kit tracking system. Read more
In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Pa. House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton and state Sen. Katie Muth renewed their fight to help bring justice and resources to sexual assault survivors. Read more
Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton today welcomed two newly elected lawmakers to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, April 22 – Pennsylvania House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton announced today $4.5 million was approved to invest in much needed upgrades to the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center in southwest Philadelphia. The grant was awarded through the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program and will be used to invest in: Environmental remediation to the site. Significant improvements to the roof, exterior masonry and building envelope. New windows and doors. Updated plumbing, mechanical systems, and electrical, including fire alarm and fire protection. Increased building accessibility, including an elevator. “The Francis J. Myers Rec Center is a critical hub that many of our neighbors, especially our young people, rely on in southwest Philly,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “As we face the challenges of gun violence and work to find effective solutions, it’s places like Myers Rec that play a vital role in our fight to protect our neighborhoods by providing our children with important activities, resources, and a safe space to frequent. I am so grateful for all that they do for our community and am excited for the upgrades that these dollars will make happen.” RACP is administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. RACP projects Read more
House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton announced today $2 million has been approved to increase travel safety and water quality in her West Philadelphia and Delaware County communities. Read more
In honor of Fair Housing Month, Pa. House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton is renewing her fight to connect her neighbors with resources to help keep them safe in their homes. Read more
In her latest op-ed, Pa. House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton pinpoints how Justice-Designate Ketanji Brown Jackson's background as a public defender is what the Supreme Court needs now more than ever. Read more
Read about the latest grant programs open for applications. Read more
Pa. House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton joined a hearing to highlight the current state of schools as part of her fight to ensure all students and teachers have access to a safe environment. Read more
Pa. House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton is reminding her neighbors that her office is a resource hub with information about programs, services and other assistance available to help make life easier and more affordable for them. Read more
Pa. House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton hosted a virtual meeting to provide her Delco neighbors with an update about the construction plans for Church Lane. Read more
I’m truly excited for all of the little Black girls in schools and young Black women in communities — from Philadelphia to Erie, and Scranton to York — who will hopefully soon see someone who looks like them on the Supreme Court of the United States. Read more
Pa. House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton issued the following statement regarding the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision to uphold the state legislative maps. 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