March 20, 2002

TO THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

GOVERNOR’S VETO MESSAGE FOR HOUSE BILL 641

I am returning House Bill Number 641: “AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-31-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT STATE APPROPRIATIONS MADE FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PURPOSES MAY BE USED TO MAKE PAYMENTS, RATHER THAN REIMBURSEMENTS, TO HIGH SCHOOLS CONDUCTING VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL SMITH-HUGHES ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-31-205, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES” without my approval, and assign the following reasons for my veto.

House Bill No. 641 is identical to and duplicates Senate Bill No. 2286 which has already been signed into law. This veto is not intended to and does not affect the status of Senate Bill No. 2286.

I urge the members to sustain the veto and reject House Bill No. 641.

Respectfully submitted,

RONNIE MUSGROVE