Gov. Perry Vetoes SB 17

Statement

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14, of the Texas Constitution, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto Senate Bill No. 17 as passed by the Eighty-Third Texas Legislature, Regular Session, because of the following objections:

A safe, secure learning environment is essential to all Texas students. To provide adequate security, we must ensure school safety planning and preparation for all levels of emergencies and threats.

SB 17 falls short of clearly expressing the role armed school employees would play during times of crisis and emergencies and the qualifications and standards they would have to meet, fails to address secure weapon storage, and carries a $10 million fiscal note.

I have signed HB 1009 and SB 1857, which take a far more measured approach to school safety, and do not impose a large fiscal burden on taxpayers.

Since the Eighty-Third 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 14th day of June, 2013.

RICK PERRY
Governor of Texas

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