Welcome to Capitol Notes, a series of news snippets and fairly fascinating facts that didn't make it into the Post-Gazette's print edition. Capitol Notes is only available online.

CAN YOU DO THE NEW MATH?
House Republicans want to give tax breaks to people over 65 whose incomes are less than $30,000 a year.

Sounds reasonable, until you hear how they define "income." It includes the seniors' wages, but just half of their Social Security income and none of their pension income.

That means 65-year-old homeowners could collect the maximum Social Security benefit of $24,636, earn $17,366 in a part time job, collect limitless pension benefits -- and still get a tax break.

Under the plan touted by Reps. David Steil, R-Bucks, and Lynn Herman, R-Centre, property taxes on seniors' homes could not exceed 10 percent of their "income."

The tax cut would cost an estimated $517 million, which would be funded through a proposed half-percent increase in sales tax.

You have to admire the political power of the senior citizens' voting bloc.

METCALFE ON THE WARPATH
Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, spearheaded a losing battle on Tuesday to end state funding for Planned Parenthood because he is concerned it facilitates abortions and provides contraceptives.

But his motion to remove a controversial $4.43 million line item in the 2006-07 state budget for "expanded medical services for women" was defeated 106-92.

The money, he said, should be redirected to maternal and child health services.

"Planned Parenthood is a radical, deep-pocketed, worldwide organization that works against the family values that the majority of Pennsylvanians hold dear," he said, with voice rising.

"The majority of Pennsylvania taxpayers do not support their tax dollars being used to furnish free contraception or, worst of all, furthering the practice of abortions on demand."

The new budget proposal, for the fiscal year starting July 1, now moves to the Republican-controlled Senate, where the fight to remove the money could continue.

ONGOING BATTLE OVER MINIMUM WAGE
Speaking of battles in the Senate, there's almost certain to be one over a House-passed measure that would raise the state's minimum-wage rate to $6.25 an hour this July and then to $7.15 an hour in July 2007.

However, Republicans, who control the chamber and see no reason to raise the minimum wage, are in no hurry to act.

They claim Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat and a big fan of raising the minimum wage, doesn't mind if the Senate puts off discussion of the issue until January 2007.

That claim angers Rendell administration officials. They insist that Mr. Rendell, who is seeking re-election in November, wants the Legislature to vote as quickly as possible on the issue, even though the first stage of the higher wage wouldn't take effect until July 1.

Senate Republicans, aided by smaller businesses and larger corporations, fear that raising the wage will simply increase a company's labor costs -- and its cost of doing business in general -- which won't help the state's economy. Higher wages could force firms to lay off some workers, the GOP fears.

So, while House Democrats were high-fiving each other this week, and putting out numerous press releases hailing passage of the higher minimum wage, it's way too early to know what ultimately will happen.

MORE ON THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG
For a change, we're not talking about the "second'' battle of Gettysburg -- the one raging over a proposed slots casino -- but the first battle of Gettysburg, the deadly Civil War conflict that was waged from July 1-3, 1863.

A modern-day Gettysburg developer and landowner, Robert Monahan Jr., has helped produce a $7 million, 30-minute film about the historic Civil War conflict.

It will be shown in a theater that has two 35-foot by 70-foot screens and is part of a new eight-screen theater and hotel complex called Gateway Gettysburg. It's a $300 million development that Mr. Monahan is building just outside the small town in Adams County.

The large development is located near the intersection of busy routes 30 and 15, about three miles east of the town. The site, in fact, lies just across Route 30 from the proposed site of the casino.

The land where the casino would be located -- if it's approved by the state Gaming Control Board -- is still owned by Mr. Monahan, but he's not part of the casino team.

The new film retells the historic military events of the 1863 battle that turned the tide of war against the South. It uses modern, all-digital technology and will open for public viewing April 19 only at Gateway Gettysburg. The film also features the first President George Bush reading Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address.