State Sen.

Don White, R-41st, will testify this week at a hearing by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on the proposed merger of Highmark Inc. with Independence Blue Cross.U.S. Sen.

Arlen Specter, ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, invited White to speak at the hearing Monday at National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.White is author of legislation that would give the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance oversight power over mergers involving nonprofit health care insurers.He said his testimony would provide the Judiciary Committee "with a perspective from the state government level and the concerns I have about the impact this deal could have on the availability and quality of health care coverage in Pennsylvania."The Pennsylvania Department of Insurance already has oversight power over mergers involving for-profit companies. White's measure would bring deals involving health service plans under the same standards of the Holding Company Act.If enacted into law, the legislation would apply to any merger after Jan. 1, 2007, so passage of the legislation would ensure a state review of the proposed Highmark-IBC merger.———Concerned that the United States is lagging behind other Western nations in the fields of math and science, state Sen.

Bob Robbins, R-50th, has introduced legislation aimed at encouraging young people to explore those fields.The measure, now before the Senate Education Committee, would enact into law the Science Technology Partnerships Program, better known as "Science in Motion."The program, which is already in place in some areas of the state, makes state funding available to higher education institutions to buy high tech science equipment. This equipment is then shipped to and shared with surrounding schools.Information about Science in Motion is available at www.scienceinmotion.org.The Butler County Democrats for Change political action committee elected new officers on March 21.Officers this year are

Joe Talarico, president;

Bob Arlia, first vice president;

Karen Trempus, second vice president;

Toni Wilson, secretary; and

Len Schoettker, treasurer.Elected members-at-large are

Lou Hancherick,

Linda Schoettker and

Diane Sipe. Chairman of the fundraising committee is

John Trempus and chairman of strategic planning is

Kevin Caridad.For information about D-PAC, visit the group's Web site at www.butlercountydems.org or call Talarico at 724-272-3027.———Senior District Judge

Joseph O'Donnell has been recertified as a member of Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System after completing his 2007 continuing legal education work.The weeklong program in Harrisburg by the Minor Judiciary Education Board and the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts is required for district judges.———State Rep.

Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, will host a town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Adams Township Municipal Building, 690 Valencia Road.Anyone interested in attending the town meeting should contact Metcalfe's district office at 724-772-3110 for information and to make reservations.