State Sen.

Bob Robbins, R-50th, on Wednesday joined lawmakers and state military leaders to oppose proposed cuts in the Army National Guard that would have a heavy impact on Pennsylvania.Robbins, vice chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, took part in a joint hearing held with the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and Pennsylvania Adjutant General Jessica Wright, who oversees the Pennsylvania National Guard.The U.S. Defense Department has proposed cutting six National Guard heavy combat brigades across the nation. Pennsylvania is home to two brigades, in Washington and Scranton, Robbins said.One plan would remove one heavy combat brigade and portions of an aviation brigade stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap."If these cuts go through, Pennsylvania could lose 4,000 soldiers," said Robbins, who served two tours of duty in Vietnam. "That's not good for the commonwealth or our national security."The Senate and House of Representatives have adopted resolutions calling on

President Bush, Congress and Department of Defense officials to reconsider the proposed cutback. The cuts would cost Pennsylvania nearly $50 million.The state Senate on Monday passed legislation sponsored byRobbinsthat would preserve a valuable benefit for National Guard members disabled in the line of duty.Ten years ago, the General Assembly passed groundbreaking legislation to assist the National Guard," Robbins said. "Today, the Educational Assistance Program offers Guard members a free, five-year college education. In exchange, they must serve in the Guard for six years."This program has become the Guard's No. 1 recruitment tool and has led to Pennsylvania having the strongest and one of the most deployed Guards in the nation. However, if a Guard member becomes disabled and can no longer serve in the Guard, they are disqualified from the Educational Assistance Program."———

In testimony Wednesday before the House Appropriations Committee, state Rep.<b>Daryl Metcalfe</b>, R-12th, continued his ongoing debate with the governor regarding Pennsylvania's economy and differences over the 2006-07 state budget."Unfortunately, the governor's latest budget proposal to increase spending by $923.8 million, for a grand total of $25.43 billion, is a continuation of the same flawed tax, spend and borrow policies from the last three years."Metcalfe said Gov.<b>Ed Rendell</b> used "misleading" revenue projections and packed his budget plan with excessive spending and borrowing."This year's budget would increase welfare spending by an additional $305.6 million and increase the debt service by 19.7 percent or $140.3 million," Metcalfe said.