VETO MESSAGE ON SB 5677-S

March 31, 2004

To the Honorable President and Members,

The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning herewith, without my approval, Substitute Senate Bill No. 5677 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to cooperation among education policy boards;"

This bill would have required an annual meeting of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, and legislators from the higher education, education, and fiscal committees of the Legislature to discuss efforts and create action plans to: (1) improve articulation between high school and college, (2) align math content, instruction, standards and assessments in high school and college, and (3) develop standards for knowledge and skills needed for success in college.

Current law and other bills passed by the Legislature in the 2004 session duplicate the requirements of this bill. (See RCW 28A.305.285; Substitute House Bill No. 2382; Substitute Senate Bill No. 5139; Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2459, Section 602 (15); and Substitute House Bill 3103.)

For these reasons, I have vetoed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5677 in its entirety.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary Locke

Governor