HB 1070-S.2E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Adopts the capital budget for the period ending June 30, 1997.

VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1070-S

                   June 16, 1995

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 as to sections 243(3), 249(2), 276(5), and 327(5), Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1070 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to capital budget;"

     The 1995-97 capital budget enacted by the legislature defers maintenance on some existing facilities and initiates a number of major new projects and programs.  The future cost of continuing these new initiatives will create more competition for declining resources under the statutory debt limit.  I am concerned about the high future costs inherent in this approach to the capital budget and will work diligently with the legislature in the future to ensure that an appropriate balance is struck between new program needs and protection of existing assets.

Section 243(3), page 43, Green Hill School (Department of Social and Health Services)

     The proviso language of section 243(3) requires that residential housing units constructed at Green Hill School must "accommodate a sustained operating capacity of at least 42 residents." This proviso dictates design capacity before critical master planning for the Green Hill site has been completed.  Residential space should be suitable for a variety of security levels and their attendant programming needs, as well as changes in use of the facility.  Every effort will be made by the Department to achieve the most appropriate and cost-effective design capacity allowed by programming and site restrictions and a highest and best use analysis of existing structures on the campus.

Section 249(2), page 45, Camp Bonneville (Department of Social and Health Services)

     The proviso language of section 249(2) enables the Department of Social and Health Services to use up to $5,000 of the appropriation for minor works at Juvenile Rehabilitation group homes for the purpose of acquiring the federal military base at Camp Bonneville for a future juvenile rehabilitation facility should it be closed.  Recently, the community has indicated an interest in pursuing more appropriate alternatives for the base.  Although the proviso is permissive, it may present unnecessary competition to the community effort.

Section 276(5), page 52, Larch Corrections Center (Department of

Corrections)

     The proviso language of section 276(5) prohibits the Department of Corrections from housing alien offenders at the Larch Corrections Center on or after January 1, 1996.  Due to the impact of current drug sentencing laws, a large proportion of the alien offender population is eligible for minimum security classification.  As part of the Department's strategy for effectively managing offenders, alien offenders are distributed throughout the minimum security camps in the system.  Excluding this population from the Larch Corrections Center would result in a disproportionate number of alien offenders in the other minimum camps resulting in ethnic and racial imbalances, which could lead to increased offender management problems.  In addition, this restriction could result in minimum custody alien offenders assigned to medium custody facilities, resulting in higher costs for these offenders than is necessary.

Section 327(5), page 61, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (Interagency Committee For Outdoor Recreation)

     The proviso language of section 327(5) requires that all new acquisitions under the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) fall under the state's eminent domain statutes.  The original issue which this language was intended to address has been dealt with administratively, leaving this proviso unnecessary.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed the proviso language of sections 243(3), 249(2), 276(5), and 327(5), Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1070.

     With the exceptions of sections 243(3), 249(2), 276(5), and 327(5), Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1070 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Mike Lowry

                   Governor