The legislature returns to Harrisburg next week for three of the remaining nine days of the 2013-2014 legislative session. While it is still unclear as of Friday what bills will see floor action, these three session days are jam-packed with committee meetings, setting us up for a busy October.

What to Watch

The Philadelphia cigarette tax to fund the city’s schools is still a hot potato. There could be action on the bill, H.B. 1177 (Lucas, R-Erie) next week. The bill has been on the House Calendar after the Senate sent over its amended version. The wrinkle—the House amended it again so it will still need another vote in the upper chamber. This bill, which would allow Philadelphia to implement a local 10 cents per pack tax on cigarettes to fund its public schools, has been hotly contested since the summer, ping-ponging across chambers and frequently amended.

Monday night, expect to see the political scene move from Harrisburg to Hershey, where the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry’s annual dinner will host the first gubernatorial debate. Governor Tom Corbett and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Tom Wolf face each other for the first time and questions are expected to focus on areas of business such as job creation initiatives, fiscal policy and tax structure. This is an annual premier event celebrating the commonwealth’s business community sporting a political backdrop. With world-renowned journalist Tom Brokaw keynoting just prior to the debate, this dinner is sure to be a “who’s who” and a “got be there” night.

Highlights In Committee

Tuesday, September 23

On Tuesday the House Consumer Affairs committee will hold a meeting to consider H.B. 2468 (Maher, R-Allegheny), regulating “transportation network service companies,” like Uber and Lyft. These companies are so new that they’re not currently regulated by the PUC, but are operating under temporary emergency authority in Pittsburgh. In addition to H.B. 2468, H.B. 2446 (DeLuca, D-Allegheny) and S.B. 1457 (Fontana, D-Allegheny) have also been introduced in an attempt to provide licenses and regulations for transportation network services. Those bills are not currently on any committee agenda.

Also on Tuesday, the Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development committee will meet to discuss H.B 1550 (Milne, R-Chester). Unanimously passed in the House, the bill consolidates several economic development business financing (loan) programs under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA). These programs include Small Business First (SBF), Community Economic Development (CED), Pollution Prevention Assistance, Export Financing, and Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund (MELF).

Wednesday, September 24

The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday to release a report on Prescription Drug Specialty Tiers in Pennsylvania. Specialty tiers were designed to control Medicare and commercial drug plan spending on prescription medications. However, some insurance plans place certain medications on a specialty tier which requires patients to pay a percentage of the cost rather than a fixed co-payment, which results in higher out-of-pocket costs.

On a lighter note…

Another noteworthy event, the Capitol All-Stars Softball Game, will take place Tuesday night at Metro Bank Park in Harrisburg. Last year the first annual game saw over 50 state legislators from both parties play together to raise money for hunger relief programs and organizations in Pennsylvania. Along with the game, there will be an auction and raffle including sports memorabilia and getaways.

Legislatively speaking, it’s early to have a full handle on the agenda for next week. We still expect to see additions to the schedule – from committee meetings to scheduled votes. When we know the schedule has been updated, you’ll know it’s updated.  Check back on this blog or follow us on twitter @BuchananGov.