THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, January 5, 1995              TAG: 9501050445
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A2   EDITION: FINAL  
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   59 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** An information box accompanying a national news story Thursday stated incorrectly which tax increases are subject to a three-fifths ``super majority'' vote under rules changes adopted by the new Congress. The requirement applies only to personal and corporate income tax rates. Correction published Saturday, January 7, 1995 on page A2. ***************************************************************** RAPID ACTION ON AGENDA FOR REFORM

The Republican-proposed changes in House procedures that lawmakers considered on Wednesday:

By 416-12, the House voted to reduce the size of committee staffs by one-third, and reduce the number of subcommittees.

By 421-6, the House approved a ``truth-in-budgeting'' reform that requires lawmakers to compare future spending requests to real current spending levels.

The lawmakers voted by 355-74 (one voting present) to limit the Speaker to no more than four two-year terms and committee and subcommittee chairmen to no more than three terms.

The House voted 418-13 to prohibit the practice of proxy voting by committee and subcommittee members. Republicans said that reducing committee sizes and the number of committee assignments for each member eliminates the excuse for missing votes.

The chamber also voted 431-0 to vote to keep all committee meetings open to the public ``except in extraordinary circumstances.'' The ``sunshine'' resolution allows, as a right, broadcast coverage of any meeting or hearing open to the public.

By a 279-152 vote, lawmakers required a majority of three-fifths of the House for passage of any bill that would increase income taxes. It bans any measure or amendment that contains a retroactive income tax rate increase. Many Democrats claimed the super-majority provision violated the constitution. Another resolution authorizes a comprehensive, independent audit of House operations.

In a general reform package, the House considered abolishing three committees, prohibiting delegates who represent the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and other territories from voting on the House floor, banning commemorative legislation and eliminating congressional spending for legislative service organizations.

The House was also to take up the ``Congressional Accountability Act'' that subjects House members and offices to the same employment laws that are imposed on all other Americans. by CNB