State Rep.

Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, is hailing legislation passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday that he said would further deter voter fraud and protect elections as an important legislative victory.Much like Metcalfe's election code reform amendments to the original legislation approved by the House in June, the current version of the bill would require voters to present an original photograph or non-photopgraphic identification.It also requires voters to sign the voter's certificate in ink.Additionally, the bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to issue a non-driver ID, at no charge, to any registered voter who is unable to obtain another form of photographic identification and is unable to pay the fee for the identification card.Other key provisions of the measure include:Adding requirements to the candidate affidavit.Strengthening the prohibition of felon voting.Extending the deadline for receipt of absentee ballots cast by military voters.Limiting the location of polling places in private homes, rooms in which alcoholic and malt beverages are served and offices of party or public officials.Imposing penalties on any individual who assists someone who he or she knows is not a qualified absentee elector in filling out an absentee ballot.The state Senate on Wednesday approved legislation that included an amendment by Sen.

Don White, R-41st, to provide $25 million for the Volunteer Fire Company and the Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Act.The grant program last year received support from both the Senate and House of Representatives, but the funding was not included in the budget for Fiscal Year 2005-06 enacted last July.White, chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, said grants would be used to help volunteer fire companies and ambulance services.Grants to volunteer fire and rescue companies would range from a $2,500 to $15,000 and could be used for construction or renovation of the fire company's primary structure; purchase or repair of firefighting, ambulance or rescue equipment; training; or debt reduction.Grants to volunteer ambulance services would range from $2,500 to $10,000 and could be used for construction or renovation of the ambulance company's primary structure; purchase or repair of ambulance equipment; office equipment and support services, training or debt reduction.State Rep.

Frank LaGrotta, D-10th, at the request of the governor's office, is taking the lead to make sure Pennsylvania continues moving forward on an Avian Flu Response Plan.In January, LaGrotta hosted a meeting with delegates from the departments of agriculture and health, the Office of Homeland Security, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and the governor's office to gain more insight into Pennsylvania's preparedness for an influenza pandemic."That meeting made it clear that all of these state agencies already are working closely with county and local officials to train response forces in the event of an emergency," LaGrotta explained."At all levels, we're taking proactive steps now so that our reaction to an urgent situation is well-coordinated and properly carried out."Following the House of Representatives' failed attempt to override the governor's veto of a bill that promised to boost Pennsylvania's economy, state Rep.

Brian Ellis, R-11th, said he was disappointed so many Democrats changed their votes to prevent the override."More than 180 House members initially gave this bill their support, recognizing the importance this legislation would play within Pennsylvania's economy and the jobs it would provide to hundreds of people," Ellis said."It is a great disappointment that several of those members on the other side of the aisle changed their minds Monday evening and sided with the governor's veto."The House did not receive the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto. Gov. Ed Rendell vetoed the measure on Dec. 23, 2005.Ellis claimed the bill would have removed several barriers for job creation including phasing out the corporate net income formula that taxes businesses on in-state payroll, in-state property assets and in-state sales, and changing the formula to base the CNI tax on in-state sales only.Sen.

Rick Santorum, R-Pa., earned the lowest possible score in the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund's 2005 Conservation Report Card.The group said Santorum recorded the score for not casting a single vote for protecting wildlife or wild lands.Santorum's zero-percent score is unacceptable for the conservation conscious voters he represents throughout Pennsylvania, said Rodger Schlickeisen, fund president.The percentages in the report card are based on eight recorded votes during the first session of the 109th Congress.Santorum last year voted to allow oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, place oil refineries in wildlife refuges and cut conservation programs, Schlickeisen said.U.S. Sens.

Rick Santorum, R-Pa., and

Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, were recently honored by the Humane Society of the United States.The lawmakers and four other members of the state's congressional delegation were recognized for their advocacy on animal welfare issues considered by Congress in 2005.All those honored received scores of 100 on the Humane Society's Scorecard.The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities this week presented U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, with its 2006 Award for Advocacy of Independent Higher Education.The award recognizes individuals outside of academe who champion the cause of independent higher education.The group praised English as a strong supporter of independent higher education in Congress, noting one of the first bills he introduced was to make college savings plans tax-free.