Gov. Perry Vetoes HB 2888

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14 of the Texas Constitution, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto House Bill No. 2888 of the 81st Texas Legislature, Regular Session, due to the following objections:

House Bill No. 2888 would take funds away from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to fund a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance grant program to be administered through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Taking TANF dollars away from their intended purpose of serving clients to fund this program is unnecessary. These funds should be used to benefit people, not create more government bureaucracy.

Furthermore, tax assistance and Earned Income Tax Credit education programs are already provided by the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas’ 28 local workforce development boards, and numerous nonprofit organizations and community centers.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed my name officially and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed hereto at Austin, this the 19th day of June, 2009.

RICK PERRY
Governor of Texas

ATTESTED BY:
COBY SHORTER, III
Deputy Secretary of State

For a detailed view of this bill, visit http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB2888.