Following is a listing of executive and legislative action for the week of Oct. 23. Both houses of the General Assembly are in recess and scheduled to return to session on Nov. 13.

Professional Licensing

Gov. Tom Wolf on Oct. 25 signed an executive order to begin a review of Pennsylvania's professional licenses to benchmark the state's licensing requirements against national and regional averages, the Wolf administration announced in a statement. The review is aimed at ensuring that professional licenses are free from unnecessary barriers to opportunity from excessive requirements, fees and policies.

Wolf ordered that the study—to be performed by the commissioner of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, which is within the Pennsylvania Department of State—be completed within seven months.

“Overly burdensome requirements and fees can block some workers—especially minorities or spouses in military families who move frequently—from starting a career and supporting their families,” Wolf said in a statement, which added that the commissioner's review must also ensure protection against public harm.

Special Election

In the wake of the resignation of U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pennsylvania, Wolf set March 13, 2018, as the date of a special election for voters in parts of Allegheny, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties to choose a new representative to the U.S. Congress. Wolf issued the writ of election on Oct. 23, two days after Murphy's resignation took effect. The 18th Congressional District, which Murphy represented since 2003, is centered in the Pittsburgh suburbs. Its voters backed Republican Donald Trump in the presidential election last year by a margin of 58 percent to 38 percent for Democrat Hillary Clinton.

According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the timing of the special election took many, who expected the vote to be scheduled in tandem with the May 2018 primary, by surprise. Nine contenders have lined up to explore making the race, according to The Associated Press. Among Republicans whose names have been reported as potential candidates, the Post Gazette reported, are state Sens. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Allegheny, and Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland, and state Reps. Jason Ortitay, R-Allegheny, and Rick Saccone, R-Allegheny. Five Democrats have also said they're in the running, the Post Gazette said: Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli; former Allegheny County Councilman Mike Crossey; former U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs official Pam Iovino; former Assistant U.S. Attorney Conor Lamb; and emergency-room physician Bob Solomon.

Party leaders are expected to choose nominees for the special election.

Economic Development

The Pennsylvania Senate on Oct. 26 gave final approval to a package of measures aimed at boosting investment in Pennsylvania manufacturing and job creation.

HB 542, which was introduced in the upper house by state Sen. Bob Mensch, R-Montgomery, would amend the Tax Code to permit manufacturers making capital investments in excess of $100 million to claim a deduction against their taxable income. The bill is aimed at providing an incentive to Pennsylvania manufacturers to make large-scale investments to increase or establish manufacturing capacity, according to a statement on the Senate Republican caucus website.

The bill passed on a 29-21 vote.

“This deduction will encourage businesses to invest in Pennsylvania and pave the way for the economic growth and job creation throughout the state,” Mensch said. “It is imperative that the legislature start to shift its focus to how it can facilitate economic growth.”

The bill now advances to Wolf's desk for his signature.

Gaming Expansion

The state House of Representatives on Oct. 26 gave final approval to a measure that would expand gaming choices in Pennsylvania.

HB 271, which was sponsored by Ortitay, would legalize iGaming, create 10 satellite slot machine locations, permit video game terminals at truck stops and regulate fantasy sports betting. The bill was part of a package to complete funding for the 2017-18 fiscal year budget, according to a press statement from the House GOP caucus.

The bill passed on a 109-72 vote.

“I'm pleased we were able to finalize the budget without any broad-based tax increases on hard-working Pennsylvanians,” Ortitay said. “While my initial bill did not generate any revenue, but instead streamlined the commonwealth's problem gaming assistance telephone number, the final version expand gaming in a way that has been sought by many since the original casino law was passed in 2004.”

The bill now advances to Wolf's desk for his signature. •

Following is a listing of executive and legislative action for the week of Oct. 23. Both houses of the General Assembly are in recess and scheduled to return to session on Nov. 13.

Professional Licensing

Gov. Tom Wolf on Oct. 25 signed an executive order to begin a review of Pennsylvania's professional licenses to benchmark the state's licensing requirements against national and regional averages, the Wolf administration announced in a statement. The review is aimed at ensuring that professional licenses are free from unnecessary barriers to opportunity from excessive requirements, fees and policies.

Wolf ordered that the study—to be performed by the commissioner of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, which is within the Pennsylvania Department of State—be completed within seven months.

“Overly burdensome requirements and fees can block some workers—especially minorities or spouses in military families who move frequently—from starting a career and supporting their families,” Wolf said in a statement, which added that the commissioner's review must also ensure protection against public harm.

Special Election

In the wake of the resignation of U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pennsylvania, Wolf set March 13, 2018, as the date of a special election for voters in parts of Allegheny, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties to choose a new representative to the U.S. Congress. Wolf issued the writ of election on Oct. 23, two days after Murphy's resignation took effect. The 18th Congressional District, which Murphy represented since 2003, is centered in the Pittsburgh suburbs. Its voters backed Republican Donald Trump in the presidential election last year by a margin of 58 percent to 38 percent for Democrat Hillary Clinton.

According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the timing of the special election took many, who expected the vote to be scheduled in tandem with the May 2018 primary, by surprise. Nine contenders have lined up to explore making the race, according to The Associated Press. Among Republicans whose names have been reported as potential candidates, the Post Gazette reported, are state Sens. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Allegheny, and Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland, and state Reps. Jason Ortitay, R-Allegheny, and Rick Saccone, R-Allegheny. Five Democrats have also said they're in the running, the Post Gazette said: Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli; former Allegheny County Councilman Mike Crossey; former U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs official Pam Iovino; former Assistant U.S. Attorney Conor Lamb; and emergency-room physician Bob Solomon.

Party leaders are expected to choose nominees for the special election.

Economic Development

The Pennsylvania Senate on Oct. 26 gave final approval to a package of measures aimed at boosting investment in Pennsylvania manufacturing and job creation.

HB 542, which was introduced in the upper house by state Sen. Bob Mensch, R-Montgomery, would amend the Tax Code to permit manufacturers making capital investments in excess of $100 million to claim a deduction against their taxable income. The bill is aimed at providing an incentive to Pennsylvania manufacturers to make large-scale investments to increase or establish manufacturing capacity, according to a statement on the Senate Republican caucus website.

The bill passed on a 29-21 vote.

“This deduction will encourage businesses to invest in Pennsylvania and pave the way for the economic growth and job creation throughout the state,” Mensch said. “It is imperative that the legislature start to shift its focus to how it can facilitate economic growth.”

The bill now advances to Wolf's desk for his signature.

Gaming Expansion

The state House of Representatives on Oct. 26 gave final approval to a measure that would expand gaming choices in Pennsylvania.

HB 271, which was sponsored by Ortitay, would legalize iGaming, create 10 satellite slot machine locations, permit video game terminals at truck stops and regulate fantasy sports betting. The bill was part of a package to complete funding for the 2017-18 fiscal year budget, according to a press statement from the House GOP caucus.

The bill passed on a 109-72 vote.

“I'm pleased we were able to finalize the budget without any broad-based tax increases on hard-working Pennsylvanians,” Ortitay said. “While my initial bill did not generate any revenue, but instead streamlined the commonwealth's problem gaming assistance telephone number, the final version expand gaming in a way that has been sought by many since the original casino law was passed in 2004.”

The bill now advances to Wolf's desk for his signature. •