When Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said he would have a high-powered associate “sitting next to me, with walk-in privileges,” focused on rural economic development, he said the new executive would be an assistant secretary. Actually, the job will be “assistant to the secretary,” said a USDA spokesman, in arguing the title doesn’t matter when you interact daily with a cabinet secretary.
“The point is to get results for rural America, which is what the agricultural community cares about, not what the particular position is called,” said Tim Murtaugh, USDA director of communications.
To some, the nomenclature matters greatly, as a reflection of the importance of an issue. In a reorganization plan that takes effect in mid-June, Perdue will abolish the post of undersecretary for rural development. Rural development, with 4,500 staffers and a $216 billion loan portfolio, will become an agency that reports directly to Perdue. “I’m a hands-on manager,” he told lawmakers, with high interest in rural development, so rural affairs will be elevated in importance at USDA.
Rural activists say the reorganization lessens the authority of USDA’s rural housing, business and utility agencies. They have asked lawmakers to use their influence to keep the undersecretary post. The Trump administration proposed in March to eliminate rural water and sewer programs.