GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Section 6 of Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, I am vetoing House Bill 1399.

House Bill 1399 would prohibit local governments from initiating public-private partnerships for fire protection and emergency medical services without first obtaining approval by a majority of voters in a referendum.

This bill unnecessarily restricts local governing bodies from serving their citizens in the manner they deem most efficient, including public-private partnerships designed to ensure effective delivery of fire protection and emergency services to their citizens. Indeed, the Virginia Association of Counties advises that requiring a referendum would needlessly delay this decision-making process and constrain the local governing body's ability to carry out their fiduciary responsibility.

While it is important that the people participate in these decisions, their elected representatives are publicly accountable for their actions through the democratic process and are very capable of making such decisions. Moreover, I believe privatization of public services is a viable and beneficial policy, and I oppose unnecessary restrictions on government's ability to operate efficiently.

Accordingly, I am returning this bill without my signature.