GOVERNOR'S VETO EXPLANATION

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, I am vetoing House Bill 1335.

I agree that there must be a broad-based process for reviewing and approving adult and juvenile correctional facility population forecasts. Obtaining the most accurate forecast possible is essential for planning and for the efficient allocation of resources to and within the adult and juvenile correctional

This consensus-building process should include the executive branch, represented by agencies within the Secretariat of Public Safety; the judicial branch, through the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission; and the legislative branch, through the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees and their staffs. Representatives of all three branches should be involved in reviewing and evaluating the assumptions and methodologies used to arrive at the official forecast. Notwithstanding my veto of this bill, I fully intend that my Secretary of Public Safety will work with the other branches of government to develop consensus forecasts.

I object, however, to the codification of the forecasting process in a manner that limits the Governor's ability, acting through the Secretary of Public Safety, to direct the efficient allocation of functions and resources among executive branch agencies. The amendments I submitted to the General Assembly would have codified a broad-based consensus-building approach and would have ensured that the management of purely executive branch functions remains properly within the purview of the Secretary of Public Safety. The rejection of those reasonable amendments has made it necessary for me to veto this bill.

The Secretary of Public Safety will be pleased to work with the patron and other sincerely interested members of the General Assembly during the coming year to develop acceptable legislation on this topic to properly achieve our common goals.