VETO MESSAGE ON HB 2147

                   April 2, 1994

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

  The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval, House Bill No. 2147 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to expenditure requirements of institutions of higher education;"

     House Bill No. 2147 excludes higher education from the provision of the budget and accounting act which requires agencies that make expenditures from both appropriated and nonappropriated funds for the same purpose, to charge their expenditures in such ratio, as between appropriated and nonappropriated funds, as will conserve appropriated funds.

     Existing language prohibits a state agency from spending appropriated funds while saving other resources which do not receive the same degree of visibility during the state budget process. At a time when government funding is undergoing significant change and scrutiny, I believe it is unwise to allow one segment of state government to spend money in a way that might negatively impact appropriated state general funds.

     For these reasons, I am vetoing House Bill No. 2147 in its entirety.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Mike Lowry

                   Governor