PENNSYLVANIA STATEHOUSE

News and commentary from The Patriot-News

• Bill raises black lung benefit for miners by $50
Pennsylvania coal miners disabled by black lung would get an extra $50 per month as a result of a bill approved by state legislators this week. The bill still must be signed by Gov. Ed Rendell.

• Mandatory OT ban among 41 new laws
Gov. Ed Rendell signed 41 bills into law Thursday. Among them were measures that: Ban mandatory overtime for health care workers in hospitals, nursing homes, state facilities and other facilities except in certain situations, such as natural disasters or in the cases of unforeseeable absences. Extend the state's wiretap law through 2013 and limits access to cell phone records. Add new judgeships to several growing midstate counties to deal with ever-increasing court caseloads. Two in Dauphin County and one each in Cumberland, Adams, and York. Most of the judgeships will be up for election in 2009. The lone exception is Cumberland County, which is designated for election in 2011. Prohibit idling of most commercial, diesel-powered vehicles for more than five minutes within a 60-minute span. Exempted are school buses, motor homes, buses and farm vehicles. The law takes effect in early February. Require massage therapists to be licensed by the state to provide services in two years.

• Manzo says majority leaderwas aware of campaign scheme
House Majority Leader William DeWeese, one of the most powerful figures in the state Legislature, once considered Mike Manzo, his former chief of staff, a prized protege.

• At Capitol, reactions include concern, aloofness
Testimony implicating House Majority Leader William DeWeese in the state bonus scandal was the buzz of the Capitol on Wednesday as legislators tied up loose ends before calling it quits on any more legislative business before the Nov. 4 election and possibly for the year.

• THE STORY SO FAR
In January 2007, a state House Democratic staffer told The Patriot-News Capitol Bureau that staffers were receiving secret bonuses with letters stating that the extra pay shouldn't be discussed.

• WHO IS MIKE MANZO?
Mike Manzo, 39, was chief of staff to House Majority Leader William DeWeese, D-Greene County.

• AdultBasic covers 48,679 people
Health care reform in Pennsylvania appeared dead late Wednesday.

• Smart meters, devices that would help customers tailor their energy use by time of day, will be phased in over a 15-year period and be required for all new con- struction.
State lawmakers Wednesday overwhelmingly approved legislation to cut electricity rates and reduce consumption.

• Senate OKs mandatory nurse OT ban
After seven years, it appears many Pennsylvania health care workers will get their wish: a ban on mandatory overtime.

• Service for disabled provides millionth ride
On Dec. 28, 1996, Lisa Yeager of Snyder County carried money bags from KFC, the restaurant she helped manage.

• State might need tax increase
Those already worried about declining stocks and 401(k) plans might have another worry to add to the list: higher taxes.

• AT A GLANCE

• Cost fears weigh on Rendell's health plan
Pennsylvania's darkening economic climate hasn't stopped Gov. Ed Rendell from pushing for a new program to help residents without health insurance.

• ENERGY TIPS

• Meter running out of time to pass energy savings bill
Time is running out for an energy conservation bill that supporters say could help consumers lower their electric bills before energy rate caps start coming off in 2010.