March 30, 1999

TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE FOR HOUSE BILL 736

H.B. 1253 passed during the 1998 Regular Session purported to double the fine for motorists caught speeding in an area where highway workers are present. I was forced to veto it because the amended language actually lowered the fine from $250 to $150.

The bill before me now also was apparently introduced for the purpose of doubling speeding fines for motorists caught speeding in highway construction areas. The actual effect of the amended language is to lower the fine from its present $250 to $200 for a first offense. Fines for second and third offenses are raised in the bill. However, because our present system of assessing fines for speeding does not reliably keep count of subsequent offenses it is likely that, for the time being, the only speeding fine to be levied under this bill will be for a first offense.

Let's try again. This is an important bill. Highway workers place their lives on the dotted lines every day around our state. Let's actually increase the fines for endangering their lives, not lower them.

Respectfully submitted,

KIRK FORDICE
GOVERNOR