VETO MESSAGE ON 2SHB 1723

May 21, 2013

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,
The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning, herewith, without my approval as to Section 4, Second Substitute House Bill 1723 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to expanding and streamlining early learning services and programs"

Section 4 creates a technical working group to review child care and preschool funding sources, eligibility requirements, and system design. A related task force is established in Second Substitute Senate Bill 5595, which involves broader stakeholder participation and a larger scope of the analysis. I am therefore vetoing this section to avoid duplicating efforts that will likely achieve similar results.

I will direct both the Department of Early Learning and Department of Social and Health Services to collaborate with the appropriate legislative committees in developing options to further integrate child care services toward a system that is coordinated, complementary, and user-friendly to parents.

With the exception of Section 4, Second Substitute House Bill 1723 is approved.

Respectfully submitted,
Jay Inslee
Governor