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

House Bill No. 44 would allow the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to restore forfeited good conduct time to an inmate while imprisoned. Current statute gives the department the discretion to forfeit all or part of an inmate's good conduct time credits if an inmate commits an offense or violates a department rule. That is sufficient discretion.

Providing an additional discretionary opportunity does nothing to protect public safety. Indeed, this bill could endanger public safety by triggering early release of convicted felons who act out in prison.

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