GOVERNOR'S VETO EXPLANATION

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, I am vetoing House Bill 93.

I remain unconvinced of the need for, or the benefit to be derived, from, establishment of a public defender's office for the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. The fiscal impact analysis continues to show that it is more economical in these circumstances to use court-appointed counsel to represent indigent defendants. Indeed, the 1996-98 budget reflects an increased cost to state taxpayers of approximately $400,000 as a result of this unnecessary legislation.

Accordingly, I am disapproving this bill.