GOVERNOR'S VETO

March 26, 2007

TO THE VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES:

HOUSE BILL NO. 1755

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 1755, which would eliminate the requirement that the State Corporation Commission approve the acquisition or disposal of the assets or control of a telephone company.  Such a change would represent a significant deviation from established practice and remove an important layer of oversight that the SCC has long exercised to protect Virginia customers.  Access to telephone service continues to be vital for residents across the Commonwealth, and it is imperative that we act reasonably to ensure that this access is not diminished.

During the legislative session, an amendment was offered to reduce from 60 days to 30 days the window during which the SCC must review all requests for acquisition or disposition.  This very reasonable recommendation was rejected, and, therefore, I decline to offer such a change and instead veto this measure.