Urging lawmakers to give taxpayers greater accountability in taxing and spending decisions of public school districts and municipalities, state Rep.

Daryl Metcalfe,

R-12th, this week reintroduced legislation to require any future local tax increases to be approved by a voter referendum.

"Many taxpayers across the commonwealth have asked time and time again for the opportunity to say 'yes' or 'no' to tax increases proposed by their local school districts and municipalities through voter referendum," Metcalfe said.

"The so-called tax reform legislation they actually received was nothing but smoke and mirrors to temporarily mask the economic and social consequences that will soon result from the largest expansion of gambling in American history."

He said the "the loophole-ridden" Act 72, signed by Gov. Ed Rendell, only applies when a school district exceeds a certain percentage for any tax increase. As a result, local school districts still have the authority to incrementally increase tax rates without voter approval.

He said that under his measure, any and all local tax increases, excluding those necessary for public health or safety concerns, must be approved by the taxpayers.

It is against the law for minors to buy, possess or consume alcoholic beverages.

Now state Rep.

Frank LaGrotta,

D-10th, wants tougher penalties for adults who illegally furnish alcohol to those under the age of 21.

"The law says you must be 21 to buy or consume alcohol, yet we see incident after incident where adults - many times parents - help kids skirt the law by providing them with a case of beer or a bottle or two of wine," LaGrotta said. "It's illegal, and toughening the penalties may curb this irresponsible practice."

Under LaGrotta's bill, individuals convicted of selling or furnishing liquor or beer to minors would face increased fines and jail time:

First offense: a fine of $2,500 and no more than 30 days in jail;

Second offense: a fine of $5,000 and no more than 90 days in jail.

"Tougher punishments will show people that we're serious about keeping alcohol out of the hands of would-be underage drinkers," LaGrotta said.

State Rep.

Brian Ellis,

R-11th, has been appointed to serve on four standing House committees.

The first-term lawmaker will serve on the commerce; tourism and recreational development; intergovernmental affairs, and finance committees.

Ellis specifically requested to be named to the Finance Committee because that panel will review a recent report from the Pennsylvania Business Tax Reform Commission with recommendations on possible changes to the state's business tax structure.

State Rep.

Daryl Metcalfe,

R-12th, was recently appointed to the House Tourism and Recreational Development committee and will serve as chairman of the subcommittee of Arts and Entertainment.

The committee has oversight of tourist promotion activities of the Pennsylvania Department of Economic and Community Development.

Metcalfe noted the activities include historic and scenic roads as well as the promotion of such activities as rails to trails projects, horseracing, the state Wrestling and Boxing Commission, off track betting and professional sports.

Metcalfe will also serve on the education, finance, labor relations and state government committees.

U.S. Rep.

Phil English,

R-3rd, was one of seven members of Pennsylvania's congressional delegation recently presented a Friend of the National Parks Award by the National Parks Conservation Association.

The non-partisan association in 1999 was established to recognize congressional members' voting records in support of key park issues.