HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3768        FILED ON: 7/11/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3555

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

July 11, 2013

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives,

         Pursuant to Section 5 of Article 63 of the Amendments to the Constitution, I am today signing House Bill 3539, “An Act Making Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2013 to Provide for Supplementing Certain Existing Appropriations and for Certain Other Activities and Projects,” while disapproving several items and sections and returning certain portions to you for reconsideration.  

I am pleased to approve the majority of this legislation which will provide supplemental funding for a number of items, including snow and ice removal, the Committee for Public Counsel Services, Senate special election costs, summer jobs for at-risk youth, and charter school reimbursement.

However, I am disapproving the items below because they authorize additional funding that is non-essential:

0340-1100 in Section 2

7004-0099 in Section 2

7066-0009 in Section 2

4590-0925 in Section 2A

8910-0106 in Section 2A.

I am disapproving item 7004-2027 of Section 2E because the funding is incorrectly appropriated to a Department of Housing and Community Development line item that is not linked to the intended Massachusetts Department of Transportation program.  I believe that this funding is intended to reimburse services conducted by Berkshire Rides and Community Transit Services with the goal of transitioning services from non-profits to Regional Transit Authorities, and I would support this funding if the Legislature returns it to me under the appropriate line item. 

In Section 2, I am reducing item 8900-0001 because this additional funding exceeds what I believe is necessary.

In Section 2C.I, I am reducing item 7004-2027 by $750,000 as a technical correction because only the remaining amount is available to carry forward to Fiscal Year 2014.

I am also disapproving in part and striking wording in item 1599-0090 of Section 2A and in Sections 46 and 47 because this additional funding exceeds what I believe is necessary.  For the same reason, I am disapproving Sections 37, 38, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 53, 69 and 70.               

        Pursuant to Article LVI, as amended by Article XC, Section 3 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth, I am returning sections 4, 23, 74 and 75 with recommendations for amendment.  My reasons for doing so and the recommended amendments are set forth in separate letters dated today which are included with this message. 

I approve the remainder of this Act.

Sincerely,

Deval L. Patrick,

Governor