Representatives John Legg and Gary Aubuchon

Cannon sent out a memo to all members of the House Thursday announcing the formation of the Select Committee on Government Reorganization.

“The 2011 legislative session is an opportunity for transformational change,” insisted Cannon, R-Winter Park. “We should thoughtfully and systematically pursue true reform and avoid the temptation to make changes simply for the sake of change.

“Privatization, performance standards, running government like a business, and information technology are appealing ideas but not panaceas,” continued Cannon. “Reform cannot consist of simply combining, recombining, dividing, or redividing government agencies. Our goal instead is to engage in the work of identifying the specific and necessary work of government in order to eliminate the extraneous tasks that have been added over the years. Florida government should be focused on core goals and structured to achieve those goals.”

Cannon gave the new committee two assignments that will include some of the most pressing issues the Legislature will face when it convenes in March, including spurring economic growth and Medicaid reform. In his memo, Cannon called for the new committee “to look at government programs that purport to promote or regulate private-sector economic activity” and “to look at government programs involved with health and human service delivery systems.”

The speaker noted that the committee could tackle other initiatives.

“As time permits, the select committee may also pursue government reorganization initiatives in other areas,” wrote Cannon. “The select committee is also encouraged to look beyond statutory changes and consider possible ballot initiatives. More than a decade after the last Cabinet reorganization, now is an opportune time to examine whether the centralization of authority associated with those constitutional changes has produced the expected or desired outcomes.”

Cannon turned to two key members of his leadership team to head up the new committee. He named Speaker Pro Tem John Legg, R-Port Richey, to chair the committee with Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral, who already heads up the Rules and Calendar Committee, as vice chairman.

The speaker praised both men in his memo.

“Speaker Pro Tempore Legg and Chairman Aubuchon are both well-known for their work ethic, seriousness of purpose, and skill in handling complex public policy,” opined Cannon.

In the memo, Cannon asked for representatives to notify his office by Monday if they wished to join the new committee, though he added the caveat that the matters before the committee would require a good deal of time. He also assigned two House staff directors, Teresa Tinker from the Economic Affairs Committee and Carol Gormley from the Health and Human Services Committee, to assemble a staff team for the new committee.

Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.