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. 3352 of the 80th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, due to the following objections:

House Bill No. 3352 would require automatic payroll deduction for the police employee group that has been recognized as the sole and exclusive bargaining agent under the "meet and confer" process authorized in a municipality with a population of 1.5 million or more (City of Houston). Yet, the bill only permits automatic payroll deduction for members of other police employee groups by agreement between the chief executive officer of the municipality (mayor) and the recognized bargaining agent. This type of approval requirement appears to serve only the interests of the current bargaining agent and undermines the meet and confer process.

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