Attention: This is not a current document. It is an excerpt from the Web page of the former Colorado governor, Roy Romer. It is displayed by the Colorado State Archives for its historical value.

June 2, 1998

The Honorable Colorado Senate
Sixty-first General Assembly
Second Regular Session
Denver, CO 80203

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning to the Secretary of State Senate Bill 98-111, "Concerning Certain Governmental Entities to which Current Members of the Colorado General Assembly are Appointed, and, in Connection Therewith, Authorizing the Appointment of Former Members of the Colorado General Assembly to Such Governmental Entities," which I vetoed today at 9:42 A.M.. This letter sets forth my reasoning for vetoing the bill.

Currently, sitting members of the General Assembly are designated to serve on various boards, commissions and advisory groups. This bill would allow former legislators to serve on these entities if a current member of the General Assembly is unable to serve.

I understand and appreciate the desire of former legislators to remain involved in state government. In fact, from time to time I and others appoint former legislators to serve on boards and commissions, under the general appointment provisions. But certain positions are appropriately reserved for sitting members of the General Assembly. These are often oversight and advisory committees, which require legislative input. The reason we ask current members to serve is that they are best able to represent legislative interests and views. In addition, it is also valuable to have current legislators well versed in the issues relating to various boards and commissions.

If former legislators are allowed to serve in slots designated for sitting legislators, we would lose this valuable input to these entities. We would also lose the benefits of the expertise gained by legislators who serve. For these reasons, I have vetoed Senate Bill 111.

Last modified June 18, 2003