House Government Reform Committee creates new subpanels

House Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis, R-Va., reorganized his subcommittees Wednesday, with an eye toward upcoming legislation and managing the federal workforce.

Two completely new subcommittees have emerged-the Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census and the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs. The regulatory subcommittee will be chaired by Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich., and is intended to handle reauthorization of the 1995 Paperwork Reduction Act.

The federalism subcommittee will focus on relationships between the federal government and local governments, including the issuance of grants. It will be led by Rep. Michael Turner, R-Ohio, a former mayor of Dayton. Committee officials said that his experience with local government was an important part of the selection.

"They are a little realigned; we reorganize each term," said committee spokesman Rob White. "The chairman takes into account the priorities of the committee. It made a lot of sense."

The Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce and Agency Organization follows in the footsteps of the reorganized Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Organization. White said that committee officials were simply looking to make the name more contemporary. Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., will head that subcommittee.

"A large number of federal agency operations take place in Nevada," Porter said. "I have nearly 7,000 active federal employees in my district, and even more federal retirees. I hear from them often and am cognizant of their concerns and the issues facing the federal workforce."

According to a press release, the workforce subcommittee will continue to focus on compensation, benefits, retirement, oversight of the workforce and the reorganization of agencies. Porter is a second-term congressman from Nevada's 3rd Congressional District, which includes Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City and the Hoover Dam.

Miller said she wants the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs to focus on both the Paperwork Reduction Act and tax policy.

"I believe this subcommittee is right up my alley," Miller said. "For instance, as Michigan secretary of state, I worked hard to ensure that we had effective and efficient government. This same skill set will be important as we debate the Paperwork Reduction Act."