State News-Tuesday, Jan. 9th

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Governor Ed Rendell's drive to enact tougher restrictions on mercury pollution from Pennsylvania's coal-fired power plants has been blocked. A little-known state agency that publishes a record of administrative actions is refusing to print the text. Until the rule is printed in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, it doesn't take effect. Senators have insisted that the chamber's official period to review the proposed mercury rule, and possibly object to it, is continuing. However, the Rendell administration has maintained that the legislative review period expired November 30th. That was the end of the prior two-year General Assembly term.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A former state representative tapped by then-House Speaker John Perzel to serve on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board can't be sworn in just yet. Officials first need to decide whether Mark McNaughton's appointment is legal. The state Constitution says state lawmakers may not be appointed to any salaried civil office in Pennsylvania during their terms in office. McNaughton's last day as a state representative was November 30th -- the same day Perzel appointed him. Adding to the uncertainty, Perzel was ousted as speaker last week. That means the new speaker, Dennis O'Brien, can make his own appointment to the seven-member board.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia officials say a ramp at Lincoln Financial Field was swaying again as fans left the Eagles-Giants football game Sunday night. Engineers hired by the city examined the ramp yesterday and plan a more thorough inspection tomorrow. Officials believe the ramps at the three-year-old stadium are safe. The Eagles plan to install bracing on the ramp during the off-season. But they could host the N-F-C championship game in two weeks if they beat the Saints on Saturday in New Orleans and if Seattle beats Chicago on Sunday.

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) - The Lycoming County distirct attorney is appealing a ruling that throws out statements a murder suspect made to Williamsport police. A county judge says 30-year-old Christine Saiers repeatedly asked for a lawyer during questioning. The judge says police should have stopped questioning her until she had a lawyer, so any statements she made after that can't be used against her. District Attorney Mike Dinges filed the appeal in Superior Court on Friday. Saiers is accused of killing her four-month-old daughter, Alexandria, on July 9th. The child was found with her head wedged tightly between sofa cushions. The girl suffered from Down Syndrome.