State Rep.

Frank LaGrotta, D-10th, said an amendment he drafted to limit the sale of over-the-counter medications containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine was approved Tuesday in the House of Representatives.The amendment was forwarded to the Senate."The purpose of this legislation is to slow the rapid spread of methamphetamine production in Pennsylvania," LaGrotta said in a news release. "Meth is easy to make with these medications and easily accessible chemical solvents."LaGrotta's measure would require that medications with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine be sold by licensed pharmacists or licensed pharmacy technicians.Ephedrine or pseudoephedrine is found in Sudafed and other cold medications.Anyone wanting to buy the medicine would have to be 18 or older, provide photo identification and sign a log sheet verifying the sale.Consumers would be limited to buying no more than 7.5 grams within a 30-day period.———

State Sens. <b>Mary Jo White</b>, R-21st, and <b>Bob Robbins, R-50th, have joined with other lawmakers in a bid to prevent a Rendell administration plan to impose California vehicle emission standards on Pennsylvania motorists.White said the change would force Pennsylvania motorists to buy more expensive vehicles and may ultimately lead to more expensive gasoline.She and Robbins have both signed onto a bill that would require the state Department of Environmental Protection to continue following the federal emission standards established in 2000.Environmental groups have filed a notice of intent to sue the state to force the implementation of California's standards in Pennsylvania."Vehicles designed to meet California standards cost more to manufacture and rely on significantly more expensive fuel," White said in a news release. "They address California air quality problems — not ours.Robbins agreed and ripped the proposal backed by Gov. Ed Rendell."If DEP is permitted to go through with this plan, Pennsylvanians will be forced to purchase vehicles that are different, and more expense than those sold in 40 other states," he said in the news release.———

State Rep. <b>Frank LaGrotta</b> is co-sponsoring legislation that would change the law by no longer requiring a monthly premium payment for Medical Assistance coverage for children with disabilities, also known as "loophole kids.""Many children with disabilities require specialized care that isn't covered by private insurance," LaGrotta said in a news release. "We need to make this critical, lifesaving care as accessible as possible to those who need it most, particularly since it's usually quite expensive."LaGrotta said a bill signed into law in July established the requirement for monthly premiums. Since that time, he and other lawmakers have heard from families and health care professionals who have concerns over the requirement for premiums.