HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania's system of collecting local wage taxes is closer to an overhaul following a vote in the state House.

The House voted 171-29 Wednesday to amend the Local Tax Enabling Act to streamline the state's system of collecting earned income taxes.

The bill would establish 69 collectors, generally following county lines, to replace the existing 560.

The bill still requires Senate approval.

MERCER — A former Mercer County mortgage broker who gutted his $1.2 million home before a sheriff's sale has been sentenced to three to 15 months in jail and must pay more than $174,000 to an insurance company.Authorities say 40-year-old Scott McCuskey, of Sharpsville, stripped cabinets, toilets, a Jacuzzi, locks, garage doors and other items. He was convicted of defrauding creditors and fraud in insolvency in April.After the home was stripped, it was valued at $180,000.

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh's Roman Catholic bishop is canceling some appointments over the next few days so he can serve as a juror in a criminal trial.Bishop David Zubik will be known as Juror No. 9 in a home invasion and sex assault trial scheduled to begin Thursday in Allegheny County court.Two Duquesne men and a Pittsburgh woman are charged in the 2006 crime. Their attorneys say they have no problem with Zubik as a juror.Defense attorney James Sheets says he is looking for jurors to be fair, impartial and hold prosecutors to their burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.