Governor Abbott Vetoes Senate Bill 408 (84R)
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 74, of the Texas Constitution, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto Senate Bill No. 408 as passed by the Eighty-Fourth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, because of the following objections:
Government has an obligation to spend no more of the taxpayers' money than necessary. All government contracts should be competitively bid, and the vendor who offers the best value to the taxpayers should be chosen every time. Senate Bill 408 would authorize counties to reject the best bid and instead spend 5 percent extra in order to select an in-county vendor. The needs of taxpayers should come before the needs of government or vendors. County governments should focus on protecting the public fisc - not steering business to local vendors who are not offering the value the taxpayers deserve.
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