| VETO MESSAGE ON EHB 1087 |
| May 6, 2009 |
| To the Honorable Speaker and Members, |
| The House of Representatives of the State of Washington |
| Ladies and Gentlemen: |
| I have approved, except for Sections 1 and 3, Engrossed House Bill 1087 entitled: |
"AN ACT Relating to improving the effectiveness of the office of minority and women's business enterprises." |
| Engrossed House Bill 1087 requires the Office of Financial Management (OFM), in consultation with the Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE), to develop a strategic plan to improve the effectiveness of all state agencies in carrying out the purposes of Chapter 39.19 RCW. |
| I agree with the intended purpose of this bill, which is to provide for increased participation by minority and women-owned and controlled businesses in public works projects and in providing goods and services to state government. However, OFM was not provided the financial resources necessary to carry-out requirements of Section 1 of this bill. Therefore, I am vetoing Section 1. |
| Section 3 prescribes the structure of advisory committees that may be established by OMWBE. The proposed language is unnecessarily prescriptive. In fact OMWBE has established an advisory committee that meets the criteria outlined in Section 3. The committee has been meeting since September 2008. As a result, I am also vetoing Section 3. |
| While I am vetoing Sections 1 and 3 of this bill, I am signing Section 2 because it supports my efforts to achieve supplier diversity. I am also directing OFM to assist OMWBE in identifying ways of increasing participating of minority and women-owned and controlled business in providing services to the state. |
| For these reasons, I have vetoed sections Veto Sections 1 and 3 of Engrossed House Bill 1087. With the exception of Sections 1 and 3, Engrossed House Bill 1087 is approved. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Christine Gregoire |
| Governor |