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. 4123 of the 80th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, due to the following objections:

House Bill No. 4123 seeks to amend the enabling statute creating the Greater Southeast Management District, which is a municipal management district governed by Chapter 375, Local Government Code. The changes proposed by House Bill No. 4123 would increase the territory included in the district at the time of creation in 2001.

Municipal management districts are intended to provide a means for municipalities to focus additional resources on specific areas or neighborhoods for improvements and revitalization. Currently, the law governing these districts applies concepts of local control under the Local Government Code. I support the use of management districts to promote and encourage employment, commerce, economic development and the public welfare.

Under the Local Government Code, additions of land to the district are subject to approval by the governing body of the municipality in which the district is located. House Bill No. 4123 would expand the district's territory in a manner that does not allow input from the citizens and property owners of the annexed land being brought into the management district. I support the current method of a district annexing property subject to the approval of the local governing body and the safeguards that public input provides.

House Bill No. 4123 would usurp municipal oversight that is critical to the proper functioning of these districts and the appointment of board members and approval of boundary changes is a vital part of the municipalities' oversight responsibility.

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