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PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- President Bush today signed into law a bill making mortgage insurance premiums tax deductible. The legislation allows borrowers earning less than $100,000 a year to deduct the full amount of their mortgage insurance premiums paid in 2007. Borrowers making between $100,000 and $110,000 will be eligible to write off a portion of the premium in 2007.*

S.A. Ibrahim, CEO of Radian Group Inc. (NYSE:RDN) , commented, "We are extremely pleased that this important bill has been signed into law. This legislation broadens the choices available to borrowers by making the monthly payment for an insured mortgage even more affordable and convenient.

"We are looking forward to the opportunity this new legislation brings to educate consumers on their mortgage insurance options, and to broadening our market reach to those homebuyers seeking additional tax advantages."

* The MI premium is fully deductible at $100,000 and phases out for annual earnings between $100,000 and $110,000.

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today presented Pennsylvania's new Gold Star Family license plate to the mother of a U.S. Army Ranger who was among the first soldiers to die while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Governor Rendell presented the license plate to Ruth Stonesifer, the Department of Pennsylvania President of the American Gold Star Mothers, who was a driving force behind the creation of the new plate. Her son, Kristofor Stonesifer, was killed in a helicopter crash in Pakistan on Oct. 19, 2001, during an operation to move troops into Afghanistan. PFC Stonesifer spent most of his life in Doylestown, Bucks County.

"We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Kris Stonesifer and the other brave men and women who have courageously given their lives while serving our nation," Governor Rendell said. "The Gold Star Family license plate is another way in which family members may honor the treasured memory of their loved ones."

The Gold Star Family license plate is available to family members of persons killed while serving on active duty. Applicants must provide proper documentation and a fee of $20 to the Department of Transportation. The application, Form MV-912, is available through PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services Web site.

The Gold Star Family plate is the 16th special military license plate to be created by the General Assembly. The others include the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, and Prisoner of War plates.

Would-be voters who are turned away from the polls, told they are not registered or denied provisional ballots can call 1-866-OURVOTE, a toll-free number, for help.

"People will advise them how to deal with the problem," said Barry Kauffman of Common Cause/Pennsylvania, which is helping spread the word about the National Voter Hotline.

Another group, the nonpartisan Election Protection coalition, meanwhile, has a separate hot line manned by trained volunteers who will provide state-specific information on resolving conflicts over voter identification requirements, voting machine malfunctions and voter intimidation.

To report problems, call the national Election Day hot line at 1-866-OURVOTE. For more information, visit www.EP365.org or www.866OurVote.org.