Stressing that mental health issues affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians each year, state Sen.

Jane Orie, R-40th, recently introduced a package of bills to reform the state's mental health system."We need to take a good hard look at the availability, accessibility and affordability of support services that are vital to the needs of those with mental illness and their families," she said.Orie's legislation would:Establish a minimum wage for workers providing care as part of publicly funded Mental Health/Mental Retardation programs.Develop after-care plans specifying advanced directives for treatment and care of the mentally ill.Establish a grant program through the Department of Public Welfare to assist and provide funding for the state's mental health programs.Promote the development of mental health courts to specialize in dealing with mentally ill offenders who commit misdemeanors.Approve a statewide study of the mental health system that would recommend changes to improve the system.State Rep.

Frank LaGrotta, D-10th, said he knows first hand the effectiveness of Pennsylvania's Black Fly Remediation Program.But when he learned of Gov. Ed Rendell's proposal to remove the $4.4 million in funding for this program from the 2005-06 state budget, the legislator immediately disagreeed."As Democratic chairman of the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee, I strongly oppose cutting funding for this program," he said in a letter to the governor. "We're trying to bring people to Pennsylvania, and we're trying to attract businesses that will bring new jobs to the state."The last thing we need is a swarm of black flies chasing visitors away."In his letter, LaGrotta asked to meet with the governor personally to make his case, adding: "This is not only a quality-of-life issue, it's also an economic issue. They are not independent issues, they're connected."Last year, the state Department of Environmental Protection sprayed more than 1,500 miles of streams with natural bacteria that degrades quickly and does not harm sensitive aquatic ecosystems.The DEP spent nearly $5 million on its black fly control program.LaGrotta noted his 10th District includes an abundance of lakes and streams, and is also bordered by major rivers that run through the region. He said citizens have benefited from the program since shortly after it began in 1985."To take away the program that makes it bearable to enjoy our beautiful state during the summer is distressing for anyone who spends time outdoors," he said. "Black flies are an annoyance that easily and safely can be controlled through spraying."State Sen.

Bob Robbins, R-50th, has reintroduced legislation that would enhance the status of the state Department of Community and Economic Development's Center for Local Government Services and provide municipalities with a greater voice in state government."As the one-stop shop for Pennsylvania's local governments, the Center for Local Government Services provides a full range of technical and financial assistance," said Robbins. "Citizens look to local governments as the closest, most accessible form of government."Since its inception, the staff of the Center for Local Government Services have been performing admirable work in providing information and guidance on a host of questions and problems brought to them by local governments."Robbins' proposed legislation, Senate Bill 262, would elevate the position of the center's executive director to deputy secretary status, thus providing local governments with a larger voice in state government matters.The measure is identical to legislation, written by Robbins, which was overwhelmingly passed by the Senate in 2003. But the House did not consider the bill prior to the end of the 2003-04 legislative session.The latest bill has been referred to the Senate Community and Economic Development Committee for its consideration.State Rep.

Frank LaGrotta, D-10th, has joined with state Rep. Alan Butkovitz, D-Philadelphia, to introduce legislation that would require health insurers in Pennsylvania to cover the cost of home health care for cancer patients who receive chemotherapy."Many cancer patients who are getting chemo treatments prefer to be cared for at home," LaGrotta said. "It's cheaper than hospitalization, and it's simply more comforting to be surrounded by the familiarity of one's own home during a difficult time."According to LaGrotta, some insurance plans cover brief home visits from a nurse or home health aide, but current state law does not require health plans to provide this coverage or other home care services."This bill would require insurance companies to provide cancer patients with coverage for the very type of care they want and need," he said.