Gov. Perry Vetoes HB 1616

Statement

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14, of the Texas Constitution, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto House Bill No. 1616 as passed by the Eighty-Second Texas Legislature, Regular Session, because of the following objections:

Although House Bill 1616 contains several commonsense changes to Texas' campaign finance reporting statutes, an amendment added late in the process would inadvertently cripple the Texas Ethics Commission's authority to enforce compliance with state campaign finance laws.

The amendment's author requested a veto of House Bill 1616. I urge the Texas Legislature to closely examine our system of campaign finance reporting during the Ethics Commission's upcoming Sunset Commission review and craft legislation that will continue and improve our state's 20-year history of open, honest and efficient campaign finance reporting.

Since the Eighty-Second Texas Legislature, Regular Session, by its adjournment has prevented the return of this bill, I am filing these objections in the office of the Secretary of State and giving notice thereof by this public proclamation according to the aforementioned constitutional provision.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed my name officially and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed hereto at Austin, this 17th day of June, 2011.

RICK PERRY
Governor of Texas

ATTESTED BY:
ESPERANZA "HOPE" ANDRADE
Secretary of State

Source