April 17, 2007

TO THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE FOR HOUSE BILL 1809

I am returning House Bill Number 1809: "CITY OF OCEAN SPRINGS; AUTHORIZE TO LEVY TAX ON SALES OF RESTAURANTS AND BARS." without my approval, and assign the following reasons for my veto.

House Bill 1809 and Senate Bill 3206 are two bills that address the same subject matter. Both bills are awaiting my consideration and signature.

Senate Bill 3206 differs from House Bill 1809 in at least one significant way. Senate Bill 3206 contains the following provision not found in House Bill 1809:

"(5) The tax shall be discontinued by the governing authorities on the first day of the month immediately succeeding the date any indebtedness, including interest, incurred by the municipality for the projects or purposes for which the governing authorities levied the tax is retired, or in the event the municipality incurs no indebtedness, the first day of the month after all obligations for such projects or purposes have been paid."

It is my understanding that the intent of the Legislature was to enact the language contained in Senate Bill 3206. Therefore, I intend to sign Senate Bill 3206, and consequently, I am vetoing House Bill 1809. For these reasons, I urge the members to reject House Bill 1809 and sustain the veto.

Respectfully submitted,

Haley Barbour,

GOVERNOR