U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, last week announced his support for bipartisan legislation he said would ensure students have access to quality education.The Master Teacher Act of 2006 seeks to provide highly qualified teachers or "master teachers" with a tax break for teaching in schools that fail to meet the standards established under the No Child Left Behind Act.A member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax issues, is a prime co-sponsor of the bill, which was introduced by U.S. Rep.

Ben Cardin, D-Md.The Master Teacher Act of 2006 would reward "master teachers" with a 25 percent federal tax exemption on their salary for four years if they agree to teach in a school that has not achieved specific standards in reading/language arts and mathematics.———

State Rep. <B>Brian Ellis</B>, R-11th, reminds residents that a new state law requiring motorists who drive by a police or emergency scene to move over or slow down is in effect."Although this new law seems like common sense," Ellis said, "motorists fail to yield to emergency workers or police officers on a daily basis."The new law, which was effective Sept. 8, requires motorists to move into a lane away from the scene if possible. If a lane is not open or there is no lane to move into, motorists must reduce their speed.Motorists who fail to do this face a fine of up to $250 or, if serious injury is caused by their violation, the loss of their driver's license for 90 days.———

U.S. Rep. <B>Melissa Hart</B>, R-4th, will participate in a roundtable Monday on the crisis of attracting and retaining doctors in Pennsylvania.The roundtable, which will be at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, will include analysis from several experts including hospital executives, physician specialists, department chairs and administrators from the region."The impact of the rising cost of medical malpractice insurance has reached a crisis in Pennsylvania," said Hart. "Ten years ago, nearly half of all Pennsylvania residents-in-training remained in our state to practice. There has been a steady decline and now only a startling 7.8 percent of doctors remain here."———

State Sen. <B>Bob Robbins</B>, R-50th, recently won the endorsement of the Teamsters Joint Council No. 40 Political Action Committee.Local Union No. 261 representing workers in Mercer and Lawrence counties are members of Teamsters Joint Council No. 40.