State Rep.

Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, was recently named Republican vice chairman of the House Finance Committee and, for the first time, has been assigned to the House Veteran Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.Metcalfe will continue to serve on the Education and Labor Relations committees."This new committee assignment will provide me with even more opportunities to send the message that emergency preparedness and national security must begin at home," Metcalfe said."Confronting the epidemic of illegal immigration head-on in the Keystone State involves shutting off the economic faucet of jobs and public benefits that are luring illegal aliens across the border in the first place."Last October, the Legislature approved a Metcalfe-sponsored resolution that called on President Bush and Congress to immediately secure the nation's borders to protect Americans from the dangers of unlawful invasion and illegal immigration.———State Rep.

Dick Stevenson, R-8th, was recently elected to serve on the Leadership Team of the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Legislative Exchange Council.The appointment, Stevenson said, would give him the chance to exchange ideas on the principles of limited government and free-market economics among policymakers, business leaders and the general public."ALEC provides a unique opportunity for legislators around the country to share successful strategies and proposals on a wide array of conservative issues," said Stevenson, who will serve as director of Public Affairs for the Pennsylvania division.ALEC is the nation's largest bipartisan, individual membership association of state legislators, representing a network of more than 2,400 members across the nation.Stevenson will also serve on the Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force———State Sen.

Bob Robbins, R-50, and 20 of his colleagues are reintroducing legislation to establish a new cooperative program in Pennsylvania to crack down on the manufacturing and sales of illegal drugs."My legislation would establish the Meth Watch Program within the office of attorney general," Robbins said. "Under this program, law enforcement agencies work with retailers to train clerks to be aware of mass purchases of methamphetamine ingredients."The program also works in the community to educate consumers about this dangerous drug."Methamphetamine, a highly addictive and deadly drug, derives from amphetamine a stimulant that affects the central nervous system.Amphetamines were intended for nasal decongestants like Sudafed. These and other meth ingredients are available at drug stores. Criminals can buy them and "cook" meth in homemade labs or "kitchens."Robbins first introduced the measure last year. The Senate approved the bill but it died in the House Appropriations Committee.Robbins, meanwhile, was recently reappointed to serve as a Senate representative to the Pennsylvania Local Government Commission, a bipartisan, bicameral panel that provides research and recommendations to the General Assembly on issues affecting municipalities.He served as the commission's chairman from 1995 to 2001 and was re-elected to that position last year.