VETO MESSAGE ON SB 5940-S

                   May 15, 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 section 1, Substitute Senate Bill No. 5940 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to career and technical education;"

     Substitute Senate Bill No. 5940 aligns the K-12 career and technical education programs with education reform and workforce planning efforts.   These changes will integrate K-12 and higher education technical programs to better address skills gaps in our state's workforce.

     Section 1 of the bill would have established different expectations for school districts based on their current program offering.  School districts currently offering career and technical education programs would be required to continue those programs, while districts that are not currently offering those programs are only encouraged to establish them.  I urge all school districts to establish career and technical education programs, but cannot support a provision that requires some, but not all, school districts to do so.  In addition, the requirement to provide career and technical education programs infringes on local school board decision-making.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed section 1 of Substitute Senate Bill No. 5940.

     With the exception of section 1, Substitute Senate Bill No. 5940 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor