MASSAGE THERAPISTS: The House voted 193-5 to establish a new State Board of Massage and require massage therapists to obtain a state license. Licensees will have to meet certain training standards, pass an exam and fulfill continuing education requirements. Therapists would be grandfathered if they have five years in the industry, have passed a national certification test or meet other criteria. The sponsor, House Majority Whip Keith McCall, D-Carbon, said most states already regulate the profession. "As a result, trained and reputable therapists are at the mercy of dishonest, unethical people who call themselves 'therapists' but give the entire industry a bad name," said McCall, who has pursued such legislation for 16 years. The bill was sent to the Senate for its consideration. (House Bill 2499)

BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT: The Senate unanimously approved legislation that would establish a program to reimburse developers for up to 75 percent of the money they spent to clean up a polluted site, such as an abandoned mine. A cleanup must be approved by the state Department of Environmental Protection, under the bill that was sent to the House. (Senate Bill 1062)

WATER PROJECTS: The Senate unanimously approved a bill that would put a question on the ballot asking voters whether to borrow $400 million to build, repair or expand drinking water and wastewater treatment systems. Under the bill, the money would be disbursed in grants and loans for public systems. According to the bill's sponsors, the $18 billion-plus cost of maintaining the state's more than 3,000 drinking and wastewater systems is beyond the means of local ratepayers, including some whose sewer plants must be upgraded to meet federal clean water mandates. The bill goes to the House. (Senate Bill 1341)

QUOTEWORTHY:
"America, by continuing to invest in foreign governments that continue to support terrorism, is failing to use its most powerful weapon." — Rep. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery, during debate to force the treasurer and public-sector pension funds to sell investments in countries that do business in Sudan and Iran.

LOOKING AHEAD:
The Senate Communications and Technology Committee is holding a hearing Wednesday on the federal Real ID Act of 2005.

IN FACT:
Pennsylvania places: Big Shanty, East Cadiz, Geneva-on-the-Lake, Headquarters, Koochoger Corners, New Paris, Quiggleville, Standard Shaft, Unicorn, Zollarsville.

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