Retired state and public school employees would get permanent, automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) under legislation co-sponsored by state Rep.

Frank LaGrotta, D-10th.

"Retirees on a fixed income deserve to know that as the cost of day-to-day expenses increases, they will get a cost-of-living increase every year to help make ends meet," LaGrotta said in a news release.

The bill would require the boards of directors of the State Employees Retirement System and the Public School Employees Retirement System to establish the COLA increase based on the fiscal impact it would have on the retirement fund.

LaGrotta said The Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees has endorsed the bill.

State Sen.Jane Orie, R-40th,

has introduced a package of bills designed to provide more protections to victims of domestic violence.

"At least 800,000 Pennsylvanians are victims of domestic violence each years, making this a health care threat of epidemic proportions," she said in a news release. "I am committed to bring this issue to the public forefront because unless there is outrage against this crime and attention and a unified effort, we will not make progress."

Orie's series of bills, announced last week, would:

Mandate managed care organizations establish universal domestic violence screening procedures in adult and pre-natal examinations.

Assist hospital and health facilities in developing training for doctors and health care professionals regarding domestic violence.

Expand the Domestic Violence Health Care Response Act beyond emergency rooms to provide training for domestic violence and advocacy to primary care physicians, nurses and emergency medical services personnel.

Establish a toll-free, 24-hour statewide domestic violence hotline.

Support the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing in providing a sentencing enhancement for a domestic violence-related offense occurring in the presence of a minor. Additionally, stronger penalties would be sought for those convicted of assault or aggravated assault committed in the presence of a minor.

Provide 30 days of annual employment leave to victims of domestic violence who need to get medical treatment, attend legal proceedings, relocate a residence, or to seek other victim services.

U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa.,

chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, recently participated in a panel discussion about Health Savings Accounts and expanding Pennsylvanians' access to quality and affordable heath care.

Joining Santorum on the panel were U.S. Reps.

Melissa Hart, R-4th, and

Tim Murphy, R-18.

"Health Savings Accounts empower individuals in their healthcare decisions and give them an asset that they own, control and can use for their health care as they grow older," Santorum said in news release.

"If an individual lives a healthy lifestyle, takes advantage of preventive care, and does not ignore health warning signs until significant hospitalization or surgery is necessary, the HSA continues to grow tax-free, as a nest egg for the future."

Health Savings Accounts, also known as "medical IRAs," allow employees and employers to put money aside to be spent tax-free as long as it is spent on health care.

Seeking to help manufacturers compete on a level playing field, U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, recently announced legislation that would expand employers' ability to get trade relief.

The Stopping Overseas Subsidies Act would amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to apply anti-subsidy laws to "non-market economies" such as China.

Joining English in sponsoring the legislation were U.S. Rep. Arthur Davis, D-Ala., and U.S. Sens. Susan Collins,

R-Maine, and Evan Bayh, D-Ind.,

"This bill would allow the U.S. to fight back against countries like China who are currently exempt from our countervailing duty laws because they are classified as non-market economies," said English, a member of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee.

The bilateral trade deficit between China and the U.S. continues to expand, which presents a problem for U.S. employers and workers who face unfair trade competition from subsidized Chinese imports, English said in a news release.

While some U.S. companies have sought relief under the anti-dumping duty laws, others choosing to challenge subsidies in non-market economy countries have been precluded from doing so by the previous Commerce Department ruling.

English said the Stopping Overseas Subsidies Act would correct that problem by allowing domestic employers to file CVD cases against non-market economies, including China.

State Rep. Frank LaGrotta, D-10th, said he's had enough of loud noise that comes from amplified sound systems in cars or trucks.

He is again pushing a measure that would make it unlawful to operate or occupy a vehicle that uses any sound amplification system that can be heard outside the vehicle at a distance of 50 feet or more.

"Other than potholes, I receive more complaints about this than any other problem," said LaGrotta in a news release.

"When a car drives past your home with the sound cranked up, it's annoying," LaGrotta said. "However, when that car is driving behind you, or next to you, it's a hazardous distraction that causes concentration lapses, as well as the inability to hear the sirens of emergency vehicles."

According to LaGrotta his proposal, which would create a statewide standard, would make enforcement easier.