U.S. Rep. Phil English, R-3rd, joined Wednesday with two other GOP lawmakers to introduce a bill to make permanent the tax cuts on dividends passed in 2003."We need to take the guessing out of savings and investment planning for families and businesses by allowing them to rely on the current reduced rates," English said in a news release."It is not only unfair to reassign the burden of double taxation to American consumers and businesses, but it would stifle the economic growth we've enjoyed since these tax cuts were enacted."English proposed the measure along with Chief Deputy Majority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc.In 2003, Congress temporarily lowered the top tax rate on dividends and long-term capital gains to 15 percent.Under prior law, dividends were taxed at ordinary income rates, while long-term capital gains were subject to a maximum tax of 20 percent. The tax relief passed in 2003 reduced the so-called double-taxation by capping the dividend tax rate at 15 percent, and it has been remarkably successful:The state Senate on Monday approved legislation sponsored by

Sen. Mary Jo White, R-21st, that would continue funding Pennsylvania's Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund without the tax increases sought by the Rendell administration.The measure directs an amount equal to a quarter-mill of the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax - about $36 million - from the General Fund to the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund. The legislation would use the same revenue stream that funded HSCA until 2002"We recognize this is not a permanent fix, but it helps address the critical and immediate needs facing HSCA," said White, who chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee."Administration officials have been traveling the state telling communities that a lack of HSCA funding is putting citizens in danger. We have listened, and fully expect the administration to support this infusion of much needed funding," she said in a news release.White said the only alternative Gov. Ed Rendell has offered is to impose a new Toxic Release Inventory Tax and trash disposal tax to partially fund HSCA. She claimed there is little support for the new tax in the General Assembly, and noted the governor's proposal has not even been introduced in the Senate in more than a year.Additionally, even if the General Assembly passed the governor's tax increases today, there is no way the new taxing and funding system could be implemented in time to avert the "crisis" cited by DEP, the senator noted.State Sen.

Bob Robbins, R-50th, reintroduced legislation last week that would provide loan forgiveness to nurses hired at any of the six state veterans' homes."Currently, state veterans' homes are having an exceedingly difficult time in attracting and retaining qualified nurses," Robbins said in a news release. "This unfortunately leads to positions being unfilled and ultimately may lead to less than ideal conditions and care for those who so ably served our nation."He said the measure would provide state veterans' homes with a competitive recruiting tool.The bill would provide newly hired nurses at state veterans' homes with reimbursement equal to the cost of tuition at the State System of Higher Education. Nurses, in turn, would be required to work in a state veterans' home for at least five years.The measure has been referred to the Senate Education Committee for consideration.To better ensure transparency in politics, U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, on Wednesday announced his bill to require more frequent reporting by groups known as 527 organizations such as Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and MoveOn.org."It is well established that 527s accepted and spent hundreds of millions of dollars to influence the outcome of the 2004 election," English said. "The campaign organizations which are in the same business as 527s have to report their expenditures monthly, while 527s only have to report quarterly."I am introducing legislation to correct this double standard."One of the primary goals of Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002 was to provide transparency through increased reporting and disclosure requirements. However, organizations created under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code are still required to file reports less frequently when it comes to their campaign contributions and expenditures.Since BCRA became effective, most political donors must report to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) each month, but 527s are only required to publicly report on their operations to the Internal Revenue Service once a quarter.The Butler Area Democrats will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Slippery Rock University's Eisenberg Auditorium. Anyone interested is invited to attend.For information, call Linda Schoettker at 724-789-9846.The Mercer County Republican Committee on Feb. 26 will hosts its annual Lincoln Day dinner at the Hempfield. Station One Banquet Hall, 20 Sixth St., Greenville.The event begins with a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by the dinner at 7 p.m.Speakers will include State Sen. Jeff Piccola, R-Dauphin; and Matthew Kirk, recently elected vice chairman of the Pennsylvania State Republican Committee.For information or to make reservations, call Carol Ann Gregg, dinner chairwoman, at 724-458-6108.