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GUARD LEAVE: The House unanimously approved legislation that would provide 15 days of additional paid leave to members of the National Guard and Reserves who work for the state and are called to active state or federal duty. The provision would be retroactive to Jan. 1, under the measure, which goes to Gov. Ed Rendell.

PROPERTY TAXES: Chanting "Axe the tax!", about 400 people held signs and perched on the marble steps in the state Capitol to protest property taxes. The rally was organized by the Commonwealth Caucus, a group of state lawmakers who support a proposal to tax sales of things like food, clothing and professional services as a way to eliminate the billions of dollars in property taxes that are collected each year.

Opponents say the broader, 5-percent sales tax would not raise enough money to replace property tax revenues and would disproportionately hurt the poor because it would make necessities like food and clothing more expensive.

PROPERTY TAXES PART II: A group has formed to oppose the Commonwealth Caucus plan, called Pennsylvania Coalition Opposed to an expanded Sales Tax, or PennCOST. It counts such members as the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Retailers' Association, the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, the Pennsylvania Bankers Association and a group of local food banks.

The state Legislature is currently conducting a special session on property taxes.

"I would have a choice. If I didn't have any money, then I don't buy a new car. If I didn't have any money, then I don't buy a new dress. Property taxes come whether you have the money or not." - Jane Mack, 55 of Lower Pottsgrove Township, who traveled to Harrisburg to take part in a rally to support a proposal to wipe out property taxes and replace the revenue by expanding the sales tax to things like food, clothing and professional services.

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and the Senate Communications and Technology Committee will hold a joint hearing Tuesday on the statewide public safety radio system.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike handled 2.4 million vehicles in 1941, its first full year of operation. In fiscal year 2002, 172.8 million vehicles rode on it, according to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

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