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. 2198 of the 80th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, due to the following objections:

House Bill No. 2198 would allow a pilot project in which three community colleges may offer baccalaureate degrees in applied science and applied technology to continue in perpetuity. Under current law, the Higher Education Coordinating Board must evaluate the pilot project and submit progress reports to the legislature by January 1, 2009, and again on January 1, 2011. House Bill No. 2198 would eliminate this important evaluation. The participating colleges did not offer upper-level classes until the fall of 2005 and awarded the first baccalaureate degrees in May 2007. Therefore, it is too early to determine whether this pilot project is successful and should be continued.

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