U.S. Reps.

Phil English, R-3rd, and

Melissa Hart, R-4th, last week voted for legislation that requires the Federal Trade Commission to investigate nationwide gasoline prices in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.The Gasoline for America's Security Act also targets suspected price gougers and includes provisions to encourage the increase of domestic refinery capacity and ensure the reliability of the nation's delivery infrastructure.The legislation on Oct. 7 passed the House of Representatives and was sent to the Senate.Hart noted that mandating the FTC to investigate gasoline prices and report evidence of price gouging after natural disasters is an action the federal government should have taken long ago.Under the bill, the FTC would be required to define price gouging. All sellers of motor fuels found guilty of gasoline price gouging would face penalties of $11,000 per violation.In addition to empowering the FTC to investigate gasoline price gouging, the legislation encourages the increase of domestic refinery capacity by making it easier for states to designate sites for new refinery stations.The bill also seeks to secure energy supply during natural disasters by allowing the secretary of energy to issue regulations requiring owners of major crude and refined product facilities in areas prone to natural disasters to ensure the availability of sufficient backup power capacity.---State Rep.

Frank LaGrotta, D-10th, is co-sponsoring legislation that would require lengthier sentences for anyone convicted of a sex crime."We have a responsibility to protect victims of sex crimes and prosecute those who commit such despicable acts," said LaGrotta. "The punishment must fit the crime, and that means handing down longer sentences."The legislation would establish the Sex Offender Accountability and Sentencing Reform Act, which was proposed by Gov. Ed Rendell last month.Among other provisions, the legislation would impose a minimum prison sentence of 25 years for a conviction of rape or aggravated indecent assault on a child under 13, and establish a mandatory minimum 10-year prison sentence for a first rape conviction.The measure also would establish sentencing guidelines that depend upon the manner in which the crime was committed, such as the use of a deadly weapon, whether the victim suffered serious bodily harm or whether a car was used to lure the victim.---Legislation sponsored by Rep.

Scott Hutchinson, R-64th, to expand family benefits for emergency responders has been signed into law.The new law, which is a key component of the House Republican "Standing with our Heroes and the Families" package, amends the Emergency Responder Death Benefit Act by increasing family death benefits from $62,000 to $100,000, with increases tied to inflation.Additionally, the law extends line of duty death benefits to National Guard members, police officers, firefighters and emergency responders who die from a heart attack or stroke within 24 hours of responding to an emergency or following a physical training exercise.Under the new law, both the increased death benefits for families and the coverage of heart attack and stroke victims will be retroactive to Dec. 15, 2003.---State Reps.

Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, and Kevin Blaum, D-Luzerne, recently introduced legislation to restructure Pennsylvania's state-run student loan program to increase competition in the student loan market that should result in lower costs and improved service for students and their families.Under the measure, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency would be required, for a reasonable fee, to open up its state-owned information systems to other lending companies.The bill would also separate PHEAA's control over the state's loan and grant programs by creating an independent agency to administer the grants. PHEAA would maintain its loan services.Additionally, the bill would require PHEAA to operate under the "right to know" provisions of Pennsylvania law and ensure the legislature has access to information about how PHEAA allocates its resources.---U.S.

Melissa Hart, R-4th, last week introduced legislation that would help displaced homemakers and single parents get training and skills needed to enter the work force.The bipartisan Pathways Advancing Career Training Act seeks to fill the needs of about 21 million out-of-work homemakers and single parents who require education and training services to find employment, Hart said.The PACT Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald, D-Calif."Single mothers often not only have to acquire the skills needed to enter a work force that has changed since they were last employed, but they also have to worry about finding and paying for day care, working around school schedules and fitting in other everyday chores, such as grocery shopping and helping with homework," said Hart.---U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, was recently re-appointed a member to the President's Export Council.English has been on the committee since 1998 and was re-appointed Monday by Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., speaker of the House of Representatives.The PEC is the premier national advisory committee for the president on international trade issues.---State Rep.

Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, will host a legislative breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Friday at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center, 2525 Rochester Road.Those interested in attending should call Metcalfe's office at 724-772-3110 for information and to make reservations.