MARCH 14, 2003

REAUTHORIZATION TOOK ONE MORE STEP FORWARD IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AFTER THE HEARING ON THURSDAY, MAR. 13 BEFORE THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON 21ST CENTURY COMPETITIVENESS WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL, H.R. 1261.

THE BILL, INTRODUCED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FULL COMMITTEE, APPEARS TO GIVE GOVERNORS MORE CONTROLL OVER THE USE OF FUNDS PROVIDED FOR PROGRAMS OPERATING UNDER THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT.

IN ADDITION, THE LAW WOULD NO LONGER REQUIRE THAT THE COMMISSIONER BE A PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE, CONFIRMED WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE AND WOULD THEREAFTER BE APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT. THE COMMISSIONER WOULD BE CALL DIRECTOR. THIS IS ANOTHER SIGN OF THE DOWNGRADING OF THE REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

OTHER PROGRAMS SUCH AS DEVELOMENTAL DISABILITIES, TICKET TO WORK, AND INDEPENDENT LIVING WOULD BE BROUGHT INTO THE ONE STOP OPERATIONS.

AS I HAVE REPORTED EARLIER, THE COMMITTEE HOPES TO HAVE THE BILL COMPLETED AND PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BY THE TIME CONGRESS GOES HOME FOR ITS SPRING BREAK, APRIL 14.

THE TEXT OF THE BILL IS AVAILABLE HERE AT THE LINK PROVIDED. THIS IS A 107 PAGE DOCUMENT SO ALLOW PLENTY OF DOWNLOAD TIME H.R. 1261 MS Word format or H.R. 1261 Text format .