April 17, 2017

TO THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE:

GOVERNOR’S PARTIAL VETO MESSAGE FOR SENATE BILL 3015

I am returning Senate Bill 3015, “AN ACT MAKING AN ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION OF GENERAL FUNDS, CAPITAL EXPENSE FUNDS, BUDGET CONTINGENCY FUNDS AND SPECIAL FUNDS TO DEFRAY THE EXPENSES OF VARIOUS AGENCIES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2017 AND 2018 AND RELATED PURPOSES,” partly approved and partly not approved pursuant to the authority of Article IV, Section 73 of the Mississippi Constitution and assign the following reasons for partial veto of this bill.

After full consideration, I am vetoing Section 25 of Senate Bill 3015.  Section 25 would have appropriated $50,000 in Capitol Expense Fund dollars to the Mississippi State Cooperative Extension Service “to defray the expenses of an information campaign related to wild hogs.” 

Wild hogs are destructive and are a threat to Mississippi property owners and the economy.  State government has a role to play in helping to protect public property and natural resources.  But I also believe state government has a duty to seek the most cost-effective solutions first.  Mississippi State Cooperative Extension did not request this additional appropriation.  It prepared several options for a potential public information campaign to the Beaver and Wild Hog Control Advisory Board earlier this year, one of which would cost no money. This no-cost option should be pursued first before establishing a new program with a financial cost.    

For this reason, I am vetoing Section 25 of Senate Bill 3015 pursuant to the authority of Article IV, Section 73 of the Mississippi Constitution, which provides:  “The governor may veto parts of any appropriation bill, and approve parts of the same, and the portions approved shall be law.” 

Respectfully submitted,

 

PHIL BRYANT

GOVERNOR