| VETO MESSAGE ON SSB 5499 |
| May 13, 2009 |
| To the Honorable President and Members, |
| The Senate of the State of Washington |
| Ladies and Gentlemen: |
| I am returning, without my approval as to Section 2, Substitute Senate Bill 5499 entitled: |
"AN ACT Relating to bond amounts for department of transportation highway contracts." |
| Section 2 of this bill requires the Governor to approve any contracts in which the Washington State Department of Transportation intends to authorize bonds in an amount less than the full contract price of the contract. |
| Section 1 of the bill requires the Office of Financial Management to approve risk guidelines developed by the Department of Transportation prior to authorizing bonds in an amount less than the full price of the contract. Section 1 also requires the Office of Financial Management to review and approve the decision of the Secretary of Transportation to authorize a bond in an amount less than the full price of the contract prior to proceeding with the contract. Approval from the Office of Financial Management of the risk guidelines, as well as review of pending contracts constitutes sufficient oversight by the Governor's office of highway contract decisions. Requiring subsequent approval from the Governor is redundant and is not a necessary statutory requirement. |
| For these reasons, I have vetoed Section 2 of Substitute Senate Bill 5499. |
| With the exception of Section 2, Substitute Senate Bill 5499 is approved. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Christine O. Gregoire |
| Governor |