More than 50 local residents braved the winter weather last night to attend a panel discussion on the effects of the USA Patriot Act.

Congress passed the legislation which was signed by President Bush about six weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks in order to give the federal government more avenues for combating terrorism.

Under the act, authorities can request the assistance of local law enforcement in obtaining private information for terrorism-related investigations. Data authorities can obtain include bank statements, library records, Internet usage and, in extreme cases, educational records.

Ben Kleindorfer, a former attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) discussed the potential affects of the act's broad wording.

"The criteria for searches and wiretaps have become considerably looser as a result of this act," Kleindorfer said.

The conditions for issuing warrants have changed significantly, Kleindorfer said. When seeking a warrant, authorities do not necessarily have to specify a premise or person, he said.

Supporters of the act argue that the measures are temporary because of "sunset provisions" attached to the bill, Kleindorfer said. But provisions that do not expire include broad abilities to conduct wire taps and tamper with grand jury proceedings, he said.

Clay Calvert, co-director of the Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment, which is based at Penn State, focused his discussion on an interview he conducted with ALCU President Nadine Strossen last December.

Calvert said Strossen dispelled the federal government's assertion that terroristic threats to the nation warrant the passage and enforcement of the act. Strossen reminded Calvert that the Bill of Rights was framed during a time period in which the nation faced instability.

Concerned with the legislation's possible infringement on civil liberties, the ACLU has asked the State College Borough Council to adopt a resolution in response to the act, said Ted Vallance, president of the board of directors of the ACLU's central Pennsylvania chapter.

"There's always a concern that any restrictions on free speech could lead to more restrictions on speech, thus leading down a slippery slope of censorship," Calvert said.

The resolution proposes that the borough be cautious in cooperating with federal authorities conducting investigations into the private lives of borough residents while acting under the USA Patriot Act, Vallance said.

Council discussed the proposal at a work session last month and agreed against adopting it, but members were at odds when contemplating whether an alternate action should be considered.

Nationwide, about 25 communities have sponsored such resolutions.

Council member James Meyer has argued that collective action on the issue isn't in the scope of council's authority.

Nonetheless, council members Elizabeth Goreham and Cathy Dauler said previously that they support collective action and have agreed to work with ACLU to form a letter that will eventually be brought before council for a vote.

If council approves, it will send the letter to federal representatives. Should council reject the letter, it will still be mailed to authorities but from supporters on an individual basis.

Regardless of council's decision, Calvert said federal investigations would not be hindered.

"The federal government will enforce this law regardless of what the local government says," Calvert said.

Last night's event was sponsored by the ACLU and took place at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County, 780 Waupelani Drive.

"I was pleased with the turnout, especially given the bad weather, and was enthused with the great number of questions raised by residents," Vallance said.