The measure would make English Pennsylvania’s “official language” and require state and local governments to print official documents in English only. It passed 159-34.

Supporters say the bill would save taxpayers money and, in the long run, help all nonEnglish-speaking residents by essentially forcing them to learn the language.

“It will help nonEnglish-speaking people become more assimilated into society and help them become more prosperous,” said Rep. Scott Boyd, a West Lampeter Township Republican.

Boyd and Lancaster County’s six other Republican House members all voted for the bill. The only local Democrat, Rep. Mike Sturla, voted against the proposal.

He and other opponents said the bill is yet another election-year ploy by Republicans — similar to proposed bans on flag-burning in Congress and gay marriage in the state — to fire up the conservative base.

“Woe is to the gay, flag-burning Latino,” said Sturla, of Lancaster City. “I’ll tell you what, they’re in for a world of hurt. This is just, ‘Hey, let’s fire up the base.’ It’s not going anywhere.”

Gov. Ed Rendell reportedly would veto the bill even if it were to be passed by the Senate, where the proposal is now headed and has an uncertain future.

“It’s already done what they wanted it to do: get you guys to write stories about it. That’s the only intent,” Sturla said.

As the immigration debate rages across the country, Pennsylvania is now among 10 states where similar bills have been introduced during the current legislative session, according to U.S. English, a group that advocates making English the national language.

The proposal here would provide exceptions in certain situations, such as when public safety, health or justice require the use of another language.

Even if the bill were to be signed into law, it would have minimal impact on local government. At the Lancaster County Courthouse and Lancaster City Hall, most, if not all, documents are printed in English only.

“Any document that comes in, in a foreign language needs to be translated before putting them on the public records,” said Recorder of Deeds Steve McDonald.

Many documents printed at the state level, however, are in both English and Spanish. Supporters of the English-only bill say that’s unfair to other immigrants.

“What about Vietnamese?” asked Boyd. “What about Russian? This will put non-English-speaking people all on the same playing field.”