VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1019

                   May 9, 1997

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 section 3, House Bill No. 1019 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to appropriations for projects recommended by the public works board;"

     House Bill No. 1019 provides a list of 34 public works projects for funding from the Public Works Assistance Account.  It also provides a supplemental appropriation to cover 19 of the projects, listed in section 2 of the bill.

     Section 3 of the bill would require the Public Works Board to ensure that at the beginning of each fiscal quarter there is a sufficient cash balance in the public works assistance account to cover the disbursements anticipated during the quarter.  I completely agree with the need to maintain sufficient cash reserves.  However, the language in the bill would require maintenance of approximately $35,000,000 in reserves.  I believe that amount is far too large.  In my proposed capital budget, I recommended a reserve of $15,000,000.  The $20,000,000 difference can be used to complete projects that are badly needed now.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed section 3 of House Bill No. 1019.

     With the exception of section 3, I am approving House Bill No. 1019.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor