VETO MESSAGE ON SB 6396

                   March 28, 2002

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 104 and 126(3), Engrossed Senate Bill No. 6396 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to the capital budget;"

Section 104, page 4, Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development

This section would have modified the appropriation from a governance study, yet to be completed, of the Burke Museum into a study to expand the museum.  The governance study is important because it will identify alternative funding for a museum expansion. The amended language also authorized expenditures for preservation of museum collections (an operational expense).  These funds were first appropriated for the Burke Museum in the 1999B2001 biennium, at which time I vetoed provisional language for a study of future expansion of the museum.  It is inappropriate to forego the governance study and to fund preservation of collections with capital funds.

Section 126(3), page 18, Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation

This section would have provided a direct appropriation to People for Salmon (PFS) from Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) grant funds.  The SRFB was designed to be an independent decision maker for the allocation of salmon recovery grants.  A direct appropriation by the legislature intrudes upon SRFB autonomy and decision making as to which projects best aid in fish recovery and are most desirable to fund.  A similar provision was vetoed last year for the same reasons.

I add this special note regarding section 110, which I have allowed to stand.  This section revises and increases funding for the Bremerton Readiness Center for the Military Department.  These funds will construct additional classrooms to support an emergency services training center.  While there are unique programmatic, geographic and interagency aspects of this project, proceeding with this project should in no way suggest concurrence or agreement with any future, state-financed emergency services training facilities.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed sections 104 and 126(3) of Engrossed Senate Bill No. 6396.

     With the exception of sections 104 and 126(3), Engrossed Senate Bill No. 6396 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor