Message - June 15, 2007

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EIGHTIETH TEXAS LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION:

Pursuant to Article IV, Sections 14 and 15 of the Texas Constitution, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove and veto House Bill No. 2103 of the 80th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, due to the following objections:

House Bill No. 2103 would provide student loan repayment assistance for correctional officers who take junior- and senior-level courses at Sam Houston State University and fulfill certain other requirements.

Although correctional officers are needed across the state, this bill would limit them to attending only one specified university to achieve the intended benefit.

Furthermore, the state currently funds 19 financial aid programs; five of these are major financial aid programs and the other 14 target small groups of students. If the legislature funds the five major programs adequately, as I set forth in my 2008-2009 budget proposal, then we should not need other programs. It is more cost effective for the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the institutions to administer a few large programs rather than many small programs.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed my name officially and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed hereto at Austin, this the 15th day of June, 2007.

RICK PERRY
Governor of Texas

ATTESTED BY:
ROGER WILLIAMS
Secretary of State