With the new appropriations subcommittees looking like a done deal, several new chairman have risen to power. The new chair of the House Appropriations Transportation, Treasury and Housing Subcommittee is Joe Knollenberg (R-Michigan).

Knollenberg represents the 11th District of Michigan. He's held office since 1992 after serving three years in the Army and most of his career as an insurance agent. Knollenberg has remained reliably conservative in his solid GOP district, winning re-election handily each time due to his solid pro-life, pro-business views and his ability to deliver over $60 million federal dollars to his district.

As an appropriator, Knollenberg has been vocal in his desire to see the gas tax ratio altered (Michigan is one of the donee states that only receives $.88 for every dollar contributed) and to encourage free trade, consistently supporting all of the free trade agreements the administration has proposed. He's also been staunchly pro-manufacturing throughout his tenure.

Knollenberg's strong focus on local issues will certainly serve his district and state's transit needs well with his new assignment. How it will affect the country's transportation systems as a whole remains to be seen.