ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A newly created commission is taking a red pen to Maryland's business regulations.

Gov. Larry Hogan on Thursday issued an executive order giving the green light to the Regulatory Reform Commission to conduct a top to bottom review of the state's business policies.

The commission is being co-chaired by Jim Soltesz, CEO of a Montgomery County civil engineering firm, and Abba Poliakoff, a chairman at Baltimore-based firm Gordon Feinblatt LLC.

Hogan said the commission's work should take three years.

A businessman prior to taking office in January, Hogan said his priority has always been economic development. He said business owners consistently complained to him about the state's anti-business environment, too many taxes, and what he called an out-of-control regulatory environment.

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