Governor Abbott Vetoes House Bill 3193 (84R)
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14, of the Texas Constitution, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto House Bill No. 3193 as passed by the Eighty- Fourth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, because of the following objections:
I previously vetoed Senate Bill 408, explaining that government has an obligation to spend no more of the taxpayers' money than necessary. The practice of competitive bidding forces government officials to put the taxpayers' interests ahead of any temptation to steer the people's business to favored vendors. House Bill 3193 would allow the City of San Antonio, and only that City, to reject the best bid and instead spend more money on a San Antonio-based vendor. Like Senate Bill 408 before it, House Bill 3193 improperly relieves government officials of their duty to seek the best possible value for the taxpayers. The bill is made worse because it creates different rules for different cities without any legitimate reason to do so.
Since the Eighty-Fourth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, by its adjournment has prevented the return of this bill, I am filing these objections in the office of the Secretary of State and giving notice thereof by this public proclamation according to the aforementioned constitutional provision.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor
View a PDF of the veto here