Rep.

Brian Ellis, R-11th, has co-sponsored legislation that would allow casinos and slots parlors to purchase slot machines directly from the manufacturer, thus eliminating any need for middlemen or suppliers."When the gaming bill was passed in 2004, I was strongly opposed and I still am," Ellis said. "Unfortunately, a full repeal will likely never happen under our current administration. That is why I am committed to work toward successfully reforming the current law."The measure is awaiting consideration by the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee, of which Ellis is a member.The middleman requirement currently in place creates a small class of suppliers to sell and service gambling equipment and gives them each a monopoly license. No other state that allows gambling requires the use of middlemen suppliers."Arguably, the middleman requirement ensures that politically well-connected individuals profit from the state's new gambling law by giving them an opportunity to garner a special middleman license from the gaming board," Ellis said. "It is a political strategy to help out VIPs in the slots purchasing industry."A similar measure was passed by the Senate in June.———Asecond in a series of hearings was held Wednesday in Lehigh County to consider a package of immigration reform bills sponsored by state Rep.

Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th.The National Security Begins at Home package would:n Eliminate all non-medical-emergency public benefits for illegal aliens, including welfare and unemployment benefits:• Deter employers and other entities from hiring illegal aliens;• Encourage President Bush and Congress to take immediate action to secure America's borders for national security.During this week's hearing, conducted by the state House of Representatives' Majority Policy Committee, Metcalfe, a panel member, again called on federal, state and local government officials to shut off all "economic faucets" that lure illegal aliens to Pennsylvania."It is completely illogical to think that we will make America safer by making legal, documented immigration easier to obtain," Metcalfe said. "There is a reason that some illegal aliens come to the U.S. undocumented — they can't pass the screenings that tell us they aren't criminals or terrorists."We will not make the United States a more secure country by making it easier for criminals, terrorists and drug traffickers to gain entry."For more information about the National Security Begins at Home package, visit www.RepMetcalfe.com.———U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, on Wednesday attended the address by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maloki in the Capitol with the founder and leader of Erie's Al-Makarim Islamic Foundation, Sheikh Mazin al-Sahlani."It was a singular honor to have the leader of Erie's very own Muslim community join me as Prime Minister al-Maliki highlighted the progress made and challenges facing his country, "English said."It is a reminder of the richness and diversity of Western Pennsylvania's immigrant community that we can have as our guest, a son of Iraq, now an American citizen, attend a joint session of Congress."