U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, last week announced his original co-sponsorship of legislation to implement the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, known as the Baker Hamilton Commission, as the way to deal with the war in Iraq.English, who voted against the U.S. troop surge earlier this year, has been an advocate of the Iraq Study Group's recommendations since they were released in December 2006, and has consistently called for a timely withdrawal from Iraq.A House bill is slated to be introduced when Congress reconvenes after the Memorial Day recess.The recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study, English said, provide a blueprint for success in Iraq and the Middle East, from both the military perspective and the diplomatic perspective."Regardless of political affinity, most Americans will agree that the current course in Iraq is not a sustainable one,"English said. "And, while there is no simple solution on the future strategy in Iraq, one thing remains clear: we must move forward with a comprehensive, bipartisan strategy."———As the federal government wrestles with illegal immigration, the question of what to do about this growing problem has spread to many state legislatures, including Pennsylvania, said state Rep.

Brian Ellis, R-11th."Citizens throughout the country are fed up with illegal immigrants squandering what we have worked hard to create, Ellis said. "It is time for us to stand up against illegal immigration and protect our freedoms and way of life."In an effort to address this issue, Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, has founded State Legislators for Legal Immigration, a nationwide push to end illegal immigration.Ellis, who is joining this national coalition of state lawmakers, said the group is charged with the task of protecting the people's liberties, property and jobs from the dangers of illegal immigration.Ellis is cosponsoring a package of bills aimed at addressing illegal immigration.Coined the "National Security Begins at Home Illegal Immigration Reform Package," the five-bill package will address the a variety of issues. Each bill is designed to address illegal immigration by doing the following:n Require mandatory employer enrollment in the federal Social Security New Employee Verification Program.• Authorize the state police to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Justice of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security concerning enforcement of federal immigration and customs laws.• Authorize citizenship or immigration status of those arrested to be included in the criminal history records maintained by the state police.• Revoke the license of any licensed professional who knowingly employed or permitted the employment of an illegal alien.• Eliminate all non-medical emergency public benefits for illegal aliens, including welfare, education and unemployment benefits. Government and private entities would have to verify the legal presence in the U.S. of any applicant for benefits.———State Rep.

Dick Stevenson, R-8th, reminds residents the deadline for submitting applications for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is June 30.Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2006. This is up from $500 in previous years.The program is for people who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities.The household eligibility income limit has been raised for homeowners from $15,000 to $35,000, excluding 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits.———In the wake of last week's Senate vote to begin debate on legislation that would overhaul the nation's immigration law and grant more than 10 million illegal immigrants legal status, U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, Wednesday released this statement:"In this time of war and terrorism, America's immigration reform is paramount, and it is the responsibility of the federal government to develop an effective policy to restore the integrity of our nation's borders, re-establish respect for our laws and strengthen hiring practices to prevent illegal immigrants from taking jobs away from America's working families."Last week the Senate launched a debate on legislation that, if enacted, would grant 12 million illegal immigrants legal status in our country. Although we are a nation built on immigration, we are a nation based on legal immigration."In my view, comprehensive immigration reform should encourage legal immigration by streamlining the excessively bureaucratic process for obtaining visas, both temporary and permanent."It should also include a well regulated temporary guest worker program that does not take jobs from willing American workers."While the (proposed Senate measure) takes steps to harden our borders and enforce the laws we have in our books, it rewards illegal immigrants and fails to establish a compelling path to citizenship."