Governor Abbott Vetoes House Bill 973 (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. 973 as passed by the Eighty-Fourth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, because of the following objections:
Emergency services districts provide necessary fire and EMS services to unincorporated areas of the state. The commissioners who run these districts on a part-time basis receive modest compensation that is set by statute and is uniform throughout the state. House Blll973 would more than double the compensation for commissioners in Harris County while leaving all other commissioners throughout the state under the existing compensation limits. This would be an unnecessary expenditure of taxpayer money and an inappropriate departure from the uniform statewide compensation limits currently in effect.
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