U.S. Sen.

Jane Orie, R-40th, last week announced she will introduce legislation designed to eliminate conflicts of interest when state government enters into contracts with outside consultants."There was only one true mandate in last year's election," Orie stated in announcing her plan to introduce the bill. "The citizens of Pennsylvania demanded a more open and accountable government, and clearly indicated that they will not tolerate conflicts of interest and other similar actions designed solely to enrich public officials or political insiders."To eliminate these conflicts, one issue we must address is 'pinstripe patronage.'"Patronage occurs when government employment or contracts are offered to acquaintances or family members as a reward or favor, rather than on merit or qualifications."Pinstripe patronage" is a term that has been coined to describe when this occurs.Orie's legislation would prohibit any branch of state government and any state agency from contracting with outside individuals or firms to do legal, bond, or management consulting work, unless such contracting meets the disclosure and other requirements of the legislation, or is opened up to competitive bidding.The bill would require government entities to establish a list of such consultants who meet criteria established by the entity for such work.Under the bill, information as to criteria, contracts awarded and campaign contributions by consultants would be made public on the Internet.———U.S. Rep.

Jason Altmire, D-4th, led a hearing Wednesday to assess the preparedness of the National Veterans Business Development Corporation and the Small Business Administration in helping veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in becoming successful entrepreneurs.Altmire, who is chairman of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, said, "It is critical that they have access to the tools, support and initiatives they need in order to become successful business owners."The Veterans Corporation was established in 1999 to provide training and business development assistance for potential entrepreneurs.The program was implemented to help supplement the Small Business Administration.Altmire noted returning veterans rely heavily on these types of initiatives to meet their unique needs and help them transition their military experience into business ownership.Representatives of veterans' organizations told the subcommittee this week that more must be done to promote the economic stability of veterans through entrepreneurship.The veterans' officials also raised concerns that programs targeting reservists and service-disabled and female veterans are not being adequately met.———Rep.

Jaret Gibbons, D-10th, recently introduced legislation that would update the Uniform Commercial Code."Currently, written documentation takes the forefront when it comes to the UCC. This is a strong deterrent for any forms of e-documentation, the Internet and e-mail," Gibbons said."As it is now, the law is slowing down the process by which we get out information. I intend to change that and bring businesses up to date as they are in many other states."Gibbons' legislation would change the UCC to account for the use of e-documentation."E-commerce would be facilitated by this uniformity,"he said. "My proposed legislation would help our economy expand and experience fewer growing pains as more and more business is transacted via the Internet and e-mail."———The Voters for Republican Values organization has endorsed

Mark Manuppelli for Butler County commissioner and

Dave Tresky for Cranberry Township supervisor in the May 15 primary.Voters for Republican Values is a statewide organization that promotes conservative Republican principles in Pennsylvania. The group is not affiliated with the Republican Party of Pennsylvania or the National Republican Committee.@$:———District Judge

Sue Haggerty of Saxonburg has been recertified as a member of Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System after completing her 2007 continuing legal education work.The weeklong instruction program in Harrisburg by the Minor Judiciary Education Board and the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts is required for district judges.———Butler County Treasurer

Diane Marburger was a guest speaker at an annual event of the Pennsylvania Association of Public Employee Retirement Systems during the week of April 9 in Harrisburg.Marburger, representing the county's retirement board, was a panelist in a trustee and staff workshop for investment terminology.The annual event is sponsored by the Information Management Network of New York.