State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe,

R-12th, has joined with three other Republicans in the House of Representatives to propose legislation that seeks to end compulsory unionism in Pennsylvania.

"Loss of individual freedom, lost income and lost jobs, this is just a short list of the economically devastating consequences of compulsory unionism in Pennsylvania," said Metcalfe.

"Pennsylvania without any form of a Right to Work law encourages coercive union practices in both the public and private sectors. Passage of this comprehensive legislative package provides a long overdue guarantee that every commonwealth employee has the right to join and the corollary right not to join or financially support a union to get or keep a job."

The legislation, dubbed the "Pennsylvania Open Work Force Initiative," was unveiled Wednesday by Metcalfe, and Reps. Teresa Forcier, R-Crawford, Sam Rohrer, R-Berks, and Tom Creighton, R-Lancaster.

Under Metcalfe's bill, the Freedom of Employment Act, employment would no longer be conditional upon union or nonunion membership, nor upon payment or nonpayment of money to a labor organization.

The measure would relieve the collective bargaining unit from providing benefits that union members enjoy, such as grievance filing and support, and wage and benefit increases.

Bills by Forcier and Creighton would repeal Act 84, a statute that requires Pennsylvania education employees to pay compulsory union dues or "agency shop fees."

Rohrer's bill would repeal Act 15, a statute that states local, city, county, municipal and township employees can be required to pay compulsory union dues or "agency shop fees" even if they are not members of a collective bargaining unit to get or keep a job.

State Sen. Mary Jo White,

R-21st, is introducing legislation to strengthen a statewide environmental education program based at Slippery Rock University.

Administered by the State System of Higher Education, the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education serves as a statewide resource for state agencies, county conservation districts, educators and nonprofit organizations.

White's legislation would amend the Environmental Education Act to establish the PCEE in statute, ensuring more stable funding.

"(PCEE) makes learning tools available to teachers, home-school parents and students via the Internet and newsletters. This legislation is designed to make sure such information continues to be available," said White, who chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Among its duties, PCEE inventories and generates environmental education-related research; maintains an Internet-based environmental resources network; and provides training and education opportunities.

U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum,

R-Pa., vowed to work with Senate Republicans to pass legislation he said would promote jobs and economic growth.

He said, "The comprehensive Jumpstart Our Business Strength Act would protect American goods and American workers."

Santorum said the JOBS measure would repeal export tariffs on nearly 100 American-made products and cut taxes for U.S. manufacturers.

Although the legislation passed the Senate Finance Committee in a 19-2 vote and enjoys bipartisan support, Senate Democrats twice have blocked a vote on the bill, Santorum said.

State Sen. Jane Orie,

R-40th, will host a Veterans Memorial Tribute to honor past and present servicemen and woman from 9 to 11 a.m. May 6 at the North Side Sportsman's Association, 325 Mount Pleasant Road, Warrendale.

Among the scheduled speakers are Rear Adm. Charles Kubic, commander of the First Naval Construction Division; and Maj. Gen. Jessica Wright, Pennsylvania adjutant general.

Breakfast and musical entertainment will be provided.

To attend, call Orie's district office in Cranberry Township at 724-776-3500 for reservations.

State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe,

R-12th, will host a town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Cranberry Township Center, 2525 Rochester Road.

For information and to make reservations, call Metcalfe's office at 724-772-3110.

The Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association last week endorsed U.S. Rep. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., in the April 27 primary.

The association said Specter has been a leading advocate for firefighters and other first responders in his capacity as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations, Judiciary and Governmental Affairs committees.

The Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association represents more than 10,000 professional firefighters throughout Pennsylvania.