Perry Issues Vetoes, Nixes Texting-and-Driving Ban

by Brandi Grissom and Thanh Tan
June 17, 2011
38 Comments

Gov. Rick Perry gave his seal of disapproval to 24 bills today, two days before the veto deadline for all legislation passed during the regular session. Back on May 31, he vetoed one other bill that would have collected online sales taxes. In all, he has vetoed 25 measures.

Notable among the vetoed bills is HB 242, a measure that would have banned texting while driving.

"I support measures that make our roads safer for everyone, but House Bill 242 is a government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults. Current law already prohibits drivers under the age of 18 ...

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Comments (38)

June 17, 2011 @ 6:13 p.m.

judy burns

So Perry thinks it's OK for the government to mandate medical procedures for pregnant women, but he thinks outlawing texting while driving is "micromanaging adult behavior." Interesting.
June 17, 2011 @ 6:25 p.m.

Texas Tribune via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Brandi Grissom co-authored and edited this story, btw! -Thanh Tan
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:26 p.m.

Enedelia Obregon via Texas Tribune on Facebook

What's wrong with banning texting while driving? I can't see how texting while driving is good for anyone.
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:26 p.m.

Ann Pittman-Thompson via Texas Tribune on Facebook

He has a strange way of picking his priorities.
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:27 p.m.

Michael Choate via Texas Tribune on Facebook

This is unbelievable.
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:28 p.m.

Bill Campbell via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Interesting what the governor does and doesn't consider "overreach" of government.
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:28 p.m.

David Huang via Texas Tribune on Facebook

He probably thinks banning texting while driving would be a government intrusion. Er wait, isn't the sonogram bill also a government intrusion? *is confused* *sadfais*
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:29 p.m.

ValorieJean Hosch via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Awesome! Sounds like he nixed lots of new bureaus and agencies that I'm sure we really can't afford.
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:30 p.m.

Eileen Gill via Texas Tribune on Facebook

keeps insurance rates higher.
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:31 p.m.

Dale Kramer via Texas Tribune on Facebook

donate to me not to the Te4xas H20 Commission!!
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:31 p.m.

LuAnne Walker-Leonard via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Prick perry does more harm than good, for Texas !
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:32 p.m.

Dale Kramer via Texas Tribune on Facebook

yup his authority! granted by the dont mess w texass!
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:33 p.m.

Dale Kramer via Texas Tribune on Facebook

baad news ya'all been messed wid!
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:34 p.m.

Dale Kramer via Texas Tribune on Facebook

call the texass water co mussion!! re FRACCION!!!
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:36 p.m.

Dale Kramer via Texas Tribune on Facebook

i happen 2 know!
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:46 p.m.

Storm Britten Ilouno via Texas Tribune on Facebook

What hapenned to the puppy mill bill?
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:51 p.m.

Rebecca Book Warnick via Texas Tribune on Facebook

The Prophet is making me crazy.
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:54 p.m.

Thomas Swain via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Criminalization is not the answer to every problem. The texting ban would have just been another justification for pretextual stops.
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:58 p.m.

Xavier Miranda via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Education and immigration are not as vital as banning drivers from texting...give me a break!
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June 17, 2011 @ 6:58 p.m.

Chris Payne via Texas Tribune on Facebook

God told The Prophet to veto these bills, I'm sure.
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June 17, 2011 @ 7 p.m.

Frances Demps via Texas Tribune on Facebook

So, it's fine to get between women and their doctors (so-called informed consent), but keeping some texting fool from running me off the road would be an intrusion.
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June 17, 2011 @ 7:07 p.m.

David Rutledge via Texas Tribune on Facebook

All decisions are made based upon how he believes they will play in a national campaign, not in the best interests of Texas.
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June 17, 2011 @ 7:08 p.m.

David Rutledge via Texas Tribune on Facebook

BTW, does anyone else have a clue what Mr. Kramer is trying to say, or is he just drunk?
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June 17, 2011 @ 7:30 p.m.

jpt51

Gov Perry has our kids in his bull’s-eye with a full assault on funding for primary education or stripping away independence for universities. Now, Perry is increasing our kid’s chances of being killed in auto accidents by vetoing no texting while driving on the pretext of government overreaching. It can't be that our governor is so corrupt he'll do the bidding for anyone willing to make a campaign contribution but then look at Red McComb’s success getting taxpayers to fork over $25 million a year for a decade for Formula 1 racing. If I were cynical I’d question why, when we're dead broke, laying 100 thousand teachers off and can't afford new textbooks, why is our good governor spending money we don’t have to crisscross the nation in order to tout his brand of conservatism - on the public’s dime? Even Gov Christy is paying for his free helicopter rides!
June 17, 2011 @ 8:15 p.m.

jpt51

What's our good governor smoking these days? He seems to be on a real ego trip, proving his invincibility and making some really dumb decisions to the detriment of the rest of us. Is there a doctor in the house?
June 17, 2011 @ 8:38 p.m.

Rudy Gonzales

I disapprove of Perry and his croonies in the Texas Legislature. The trouble is the Social Conservative Libertarian religiuos lunatics trying to force their skewered beliefs down everyone else's throat! We're no all their religion! All women should not have to answer to anyone about their bodies and carrying a baby to term. Pregnant Texas women should not be required by law to have a Sonogram. I'll defend to the death your right to carry your baby to term, but I'll defend to the death my wife's right and my right to make our own decision, without any interference from any religious lunatic fanatics! "Republicans took charge of 25 state legislatures and 29 governors' offices in the 2010 elections, promising to focus on the sputtering economy and unemployment crisis. In the first legislative session of 2011, however, GOP lawmakers introduced an unprecedented number of bills restricting abortion rights for women." This is the mantra of the extreme right-winged pseudo-politicians turning into religious rightist! Who do these Radical religious zealots think they are forcing their religious beliefs onto the citizens? These radical right-winged religious zealots have introduced more than 900 bills concerning reproductive health were brought forward across the nation before the end of March 2011! The Hyde Amendment, which was adopted nearly four decades ago, already blocks all federal funding from being used for abortions, except in the case of incest or rape, but the GOP/TEA lunatic fringe has forced their beliefs forward. These bills are moving rapidly in the states, and they severely limit women's access to and ability to pay for abortions. The pro-life movement has gone beyond just hopin’ that we can save a few babies, they want to control the women of America much like the Saudi's control their women. The intense focus on restricting abortion access and cutting funds to family planning so far in 2011 is causing progressive lawmakers and even some conservatives to question how state legislatures have strayed so far from their campaign promises to focus on job creation. WAKE UP AMERICA - VOTE!
June 17, 2011 @ 8:57 p.m.

jonathan davis

After reading his statement about letting House Bill 1788 become law without his signature, one has to wonder if he actually writes (or even reads) his veto messages.

Statement About HB 1788

Friday, June 17, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Filed With No Signature

House Bill No. 1788 is a step toward reinstating the ability of hobbyists to hunt and capture amphibians and reptiles on roads and rights-of-way, which was allowed for years before being prohibited by House Bill No. 12 in the 80th Legislative Session.

This provision weakens the board’s authority to oversee physicians and vests that authority instead in the ALJ. This bill treats the Texas Medical Board differently from every other occupational licensing agency by mandating that the board accept the ALJ’s findings.

While I support allowing this hobby to resume, I do not support requiring a special stamp for those involved in the practice, because a hunting license is sufficient. Therefore, I am not lending my signature to the bill.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed my name officially and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed hereto at Austin, this 17th day of June, 2011.

RICK PERRY
Governor of Texas

ATTESTED BY:
ESPERANZA "HOPE" ANDRADE
Secretary of State

http://governor.state.tx.us/news/file-no-signature/16301/
June 17, 2011 @ 11:03 p.m.

Pamela Baggett-Wallis

And forcing women to have a sonogram complete with verbal translation from physician is not an example of government micromanaging a person's private life?
June 17, 2011 @ 11:05 p.m.

Pamela Baggett-Wallis via Texas Tribune on Facebook

But who doesn't think banning texting while driving is a good idea?!!
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June 18, 2011 @ 12:21 a.m.

Nirav Patel

His decision to not support laws to make streets safer for cyclists also disappointed me. When will this brand of Texas bravado be gone?
June 18, 2011 @ 4:26 a.m.

D Lee

HB 2499 is a primary example of Rick Perry ignoring the request by the People. This bill was unanimously passed by both the House and Senate. Perry’s veto basically overturns the recommendations from the Sunset committee, which was established by the People for oversight of government. By vetoing this bill, Perry is ignoring the wishes of the People. We should not vote for Rick Perry for President. There are other better and more respected Republican candidates for President. We just can not afford another President like his predecessor.
June 18, 2011 @ 5:46 a.m.

Rosalinda Salazar Snuggs via Texas Tribune on Facebook

What?? You wouldn't know good legislation if it crawled up you tail-end and spawned there.
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June 18, 2011 @ 9:04 a.m.

John Carhart via Texas Tribune on Facebook

So the Guv is in other words putting his imprimatur on texting while driving? That ought to really jack up auto insurance rates over the long-haul!
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June 18, 2011 @ 12:50 p.m.

Leo Tynan via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Funeral industry must have sent a little treat his way...Thanks Rick. Its good to know that those of us whose kids haven't served in the military now have a chance to sacrifice them right here in Texas on our own sweet highways , preserving our liberty and our by- God given right to text ( but not sext), while exercising our God given right to drive. Hallelujia.
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June 18, 2011 @ 5:44 p.m.

Mary Lynn VanZandt Neill via Texas Tribune on Facebook

You people make me,once again,so glad I'm a Texan!! in the meantime:1)now his staff will need to tell him what "imprimitur means 2) TX's Lege had an extended session,cost us taxpayers a bundle~much ado about nothing,costs plus? 3)It's considered Ok to watch me get my sonogram but not see me text(who pays,now,for the Sonogram?Oh,I'll charge it to The Guv,or Ah-nuld. 4)this farce is becoming frightening,tragic,and telegenic~out of Texas and onto the National Landscape. holy crap.
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June 18, 2011 @ 5:48 p.m.

Mary Lynn VanZandt Neill via Texas Tribune on Facebook

it's the "using my authority" that is just plain dangerous.Not to mention frightening and truly horrible concept.
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June 18, 2011 @ 9:42 p.m.

Pamela Baggett-Wallis via Texas Tribune on Facebook

It took a while, but I just came up w/one benefit of goodhair's arbitrary veto: An increase in organ donors. But at the same time, there will be more individuals who need an organ. Wonder if we can set up some sort of referral system: My blood type is A+ and I text while driving. Good organs for sale. Send best offer.
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June 18, 2011 @ 10:45 p.m.

Sarah Woods via Texas Tribune on Facebook

He is so stupid, it is such an embarrsement that he is the Texas governor!
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