VETO MESSAGE ON ESSB 5937

                   June 26, 2001

To the Honorable President and Members,

  The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to sections 5 and 6, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5937 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to postretirement employment for teachers' retirement system, public employees' retirement system, and school employees' retirement system retirees;"

     This bill addresses worker retention problems in public employment by expanding post-retirement employment opportunities for Plan 1 members of the teachers' and public employees' retirement systems.

     The state is facing a critical shortage of experienced teachers and other employees with skills that are in high demand.  To meet this shortage, we need to attract retirees back to work.  ESSB 5937 will help us in this task by creating a program for post-retirement employment.  To improve the effectiveness of this program and ensure a steady supply of people with valuable expertise in our schools and state and local agencies, I have vetoed sections 5 and 6, which would have terminated the program in 2004.  This sunset date would have been premature and would not have allowed sufficient time for the program to develop.

     The bill contains provisions for a study of the program, and a means to recover any resulting costs from employers.  These provisions provide adequate safeguards for the program and make sections 5 and 6 unnecessary.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed sections 5 and 6 of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5937.

     With the exception of sections 5 and 6, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5937 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor