Citing flaws in the legislation to allow table games at the state's slot machine casinos, state Rep.

Dick Stevenson, R-8th, this week voted against legislation to expand gaming to include roulette, blackjack and poker."In the short term," Stevenson said, "the inherent flaws in the proposal could lead to several lawsuits, and in the long term, the measure does not address weaknesses within the industry that must be corrected."Under the bill, Category 1 and Category 2 licensed slot machine facilities can operate up to 250 table games a time, while Category 3 licensees could operate up to 50.Licensees approved by the gaming control board to operate table games would pay a one-time fee of $16.5 million. The fee for Category 3 licensees would be $7.5 million.In total, licensees would pay a tax rate of 16 percent until June 1, 2011, and then 14 percent thereafter. Of that amount, 14 percent would go to the state until June 1, 2011, and then 12 percent after that.Two percent of all daily table game revenues will go to local governments, one percent for the host municipality and one percent for the host county. Finally, a tax rate of 34 percent is set for fully automated electronic gaming tables.Stevenson said the legislation does little to respond to property owners' need for property tax relief.———Blaring television advertisements took another step toward extinction this week when the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act, U.S.

Kathy Dahlkemper, D-3rd, announced.The bill would prevent television advertisements from playing at a volume noticeably above the programs during which they air."Consumers should not have their hearing assaulted in an attempt to grab their attention," Dahlkemper said.Loud commercials have been at the top of consumer complaints to the FCC for decades. Current FCC policy recommends consumers "mute" commercials if they find them excessively strident.Under the new bill, advertisers will have one year to adopt industry technology, which prevents overly loud commercials.———The state Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired by Sen.

Mary Jo White, R-21st, held a public hearing Tuesday on the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources budget.The panel also received an update from Acting Secretary John Quigley on natural gas leasing in state forests.DCNR in November announced a lease offering of 31,000 acres, and Quigley said bids would be opened Jan. 12. He said the leases are expected to generate at least $60 million.The land is in the Elk, Moshannon, Sproul, Susquehannock and Tioga state forests in Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Potter and Tioga counties.A copy of Quigley's testimony and a video of Tuesday's hearing are on the committee Web site at www.senatormjwhite.com.———The state Department of Environmental Protection is accepting application for grants for small businesses to make improvements to save energy and/or reduce pollution, according to state Sen.

Don White, R-41st.The Small Business Advantage Grant program provides small businesses with 50 percent matching reimbursement grants of up to $7,500 to implement pollution prevention or energy efficiency projects.Eligible projects must save at least 20 percent annually in energy consumption or pollution related expenses.Applications must be received by Jan. 15, with grants being awarded to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.Applications are available at www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: SB Advantage. Applications can also be obtained by calling 717-783-8411.———A recent change requires anyone seeking a job with the state to file an application online, said state Sen.

Bob Robbins, R-50th.As of Dec. 9, paper applications were being phased out and online applications are being accepted at www.employment.pa.gov for all non-civil service positions.Online applications for civil service jobs are already accepted at www.scsc.state.pa.us.Information about state jobs also is available at www.employment.pa.gov.Individuals who have questions about the online application should contact the Bureau of State Employment at 717-787-5703 or TTY 717-787-0570.