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. 2265 of the 80th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, due to the following objections:

House Bill No. 2265 would authorize progressive bingo, in which the jackpot prize can grow to several times the currently allowed level. This is a significant departure from existing legal charitable bingo games.

The bill would allow a progressive bingo jackpot to grow to $2,500, compared to the current maximum $750. The progressive prize would not count against the current cap on total prizes, resulting in a $10,000 cap on prizes for the evening. This is not in keeping with the nature of charitable bingo and threatens to cost the charities more in prize payouts than they will gain in revenue from players.

Progressive bingo represents an expansion of gambling beyond anything contemplated when Texas allowed neighborhood charitable bingo halls.

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