State Sen.

Jane Orie, R-40th, on Tuesday joined state Auditor General

Jack Wagner to call for Global Positioning System monitoring of convicted sex offenders.The proposal is aimed at further strengthening Pennsylvania's Megan's Law, which protects children and communities by requiring convicted sex offenders to register their names and addresses on the Internet.Orie and Sen.

John Rafferty, R-Montgomery, are sponsoring legislation to require the use of GPS for individuals determined to be sexually violent predators.The requirement also would apply to sex offenders who have been convicted of a subsequent sex offense after having been required to register, and individuals required to register under Megan's Law and who have been convicted of failure to comply."This is part of an ongoing process to protect children and communities," Orie said."We know that sex crimes will still be committed, but in the case where an individual has shown through their own behavior that they are unable or unwilling to obey the law, we should take advantage of GPS technology and monitor them for a period of time, or the entire period they are required to be registered under Megan's Law."———U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, voted for a measure overwhelmingly approved this week in the House of Representatives that would ensure the federal government continues to fund the nation's highway infrastructure.The measure, which passed by a vote of 387-37, addresses the looming shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund by transferring $8 billion from the General Fund to the Highway Trust Fund, English said.Specifically, the legislation would prevent the loss of $544 million in fiscal year 2009 or 34 percent of all federal funding for Pennsylvania highway infrastructure for next fiscal year."Without this legislation,"English said, "critical federal funding for Pennsylvania's highway infrastructure would be placed on the chopping block, leading to the disruption of road projects and further delaying necessary upgrades, maintenance and the expansion of highways across the commonwealth.In February, the Bush administration forecast that revenues for the Highway Trust Fund would fall short by $3.3 billion during fiscal year 2009 of meeting commitments made under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, and Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users.Because of the way the Highway Trust Fund pays out, the revenue shortfall could lead to more than a 30 percent reduction in federal highway funds across all states in fiscal year 2009.According to the Associated General Contractors, a national construction trade association, if Congress does not act the funding cut could result in the loss of nearly 20,000 jobs in Pennsylvania alone.