Public pension bill back in spotlightHARRISBURG — A public sector pension bill that was resoundingly defeated in the Pennsylvania House back in December is getting a new lease on life.The House voted 157 to 26 on Wednesday to put the proposal back under consideration, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to pass.It’s a step Republican Majority Leader Dave Reed says will help lawmakers move quickly if there’s agreement on pension changes during the flurry of lawmaking ahead of the state’s July 1 budget deadline.The bill would force newly hired teachers and state workers into a hybrid system made up of a traditional pension alongside a 401(k)-style benefit.

State says air should be OKGREENSBURG — State environmental regulators say there should be no adverse health effects from substances blown into the air when a natural gas pipeline exploded.The state Department of Environmental Protection found some volatile compounds were released.But the DEP says air samples taken after the April 29 blast in Salem Township showed those who live nearby were exposed for only a short period and that the maximum levels detected were below levels of concern for short-term exposure.