Working to improve the delivery of volunteer fire services in Pennsylvania, state Sens.

Don White, R-41st, and Mike Waugh, R-York, have introduced legislation to encourage mergers and partnerships among private departments."Numerous studies have concluded that the commonwealth's delivery of volunteer fire services is very fragmented and inefficient," White said in a news release. "Many departments have identified difficulties in recruiting new members and raising the finances necessary to continue operation."However, there is little incentive for local communities and their volunteer fire companies to consider such initiatives. Our legislation will provide incentives to those organizations that decide to merge or work together in a partnership."The measure would establish a grant program funded by the $100 million bond issue approved in 2002 to improve the delivery of volunteer fire and emergency services.Currently, volunteer emergency services have limited sources of grants and loans.Under the proposed bill, Waugh said, "Grants will be available to private, nonprofit volunteer fire companies/departments or EMS organizations and local governments applying on behalf of the fire companies.The maximum grants in the legislation would include the following:n $100,000 for each finalized merger, consolidation or regional entity created.n $50,000 for each company involved in a merged, consolidated or regionalized entity.n $20,000 for creation of each new association of emergency service organizations.n $50,000 for each new company absorbed into, or added to, an existing merged, consolidated or regional entity.n $20,000 maximum for design, creation and delivery of communication or education programs designed to recruit and retain members.———The U.S. House of Representatives this week passed a resolution condemning the recent ordinations by the Catholic Patriotic Association of China and urging the Chinese government to refrain from further interference in the spiritual leadership of religious organizations.The resolution, introduced by U.S. Rep.

Phil English, R-3rd, also put the House on the record reaffirming the right of all religious entities to be free of intimidation or coercion when selecting their leaders in accordance with the United Nations Uniform Declaration of Human Rights."The House (has) sent a strong signal to China that Americans have lost their patience with China's recalcitrance regarding religious freedoms and will not tolerate such inexcusable action."Last April, the government sanctioned Catholic Patriotic Association of China recently consecrated two bishops without the approval of the Vatican. As a result, on May 4, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI condemned the official Chinese Catholic church.Although the Catholic Patriotic Association is recognized as the official Catholic Church of China, most unregistered Chinese Catholics will not worship in churches of the Patriotic Association unless the bishop or priest is known to be in communion with Rome.———State Sen.

Mary Jo White, R-21st, chairwoman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, on Tuesday hailed passage of a bill that calls for reduction of mercury emissions from power plants.White introduced the measure with along with Sen. Raphael Musto, D-Luzerne, Democratic chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.Sen.

Don White, R-41st, a committee member, also voted for the bill.The legislation would require mercury emission reductions of 86 percent over 1999 levels no later than 2018. It also directs use of the emissions trading program authorized under the federal Clean Air Act.White noted emissions trading has proven to be a highly successful means of reducing pollutant discharges quickly and in a cost-efficient manner.Mercury, a naturally occurring element, can affect the development of fetuses and young children if ingested in significant quantities over a sustained period of time.