Rick Perry Vetoes “Buy American” Bill Approved 145-0 by Texas House

[Sdiver]

So, what's up with this guy?
Is there something more I'm missing?
Why would he veto this bill?
Any Texican care to explain ....

Rare is it that you get true bipartisan support on anything political these days, but that’s exactly what happened a few days ago when the Texas Senate and House sent the “Buy American” bill to Governor Rick Perry’s desk.

Passing the Senate by a vote of 23-7 and the House 145-0, the Texas legislature overwhelmingly passed a bill meant to give preference to American-made goods for purchase by the State of Texas when they are of equal cost and quality to foreign-made products.

In other words, if an American-made product and foreign-made product are of equal quality and cost, when the state is purchasing a good or service, the state would always give preference to the American-made product or service.

96% of Texas legislators supported the “Buy American” bill…

And Rick Perry vetoed it.

<snip>

Rest of the story here ..... http://www.forwardprogressives.com/r...american-bill/

[JJ_BPK]

There has to be a back-side..

Is there a catch in the bill, like "MUST be union made" or the made in the USA company must pay a tax to get on the list??

It's a no-brainer if it ONLY has to be price & quality comparison..

Perry looks to be lining up a 2014 shot, This is a bad start.

[SF18C]

1) this isn't "new News"
2) using something called "Forward Progressives" as any type of news or information source is suspect at best. I am sure they did deep diving research, like the 5 minutes I did.
3) Perry said then it was a redundant law with no necessity or requirement to sign (or really re-sign) into law and simply wasn't playing along!

http://governor.state.tx.us/news/veto/18568


"House Bill 535 requires state agencies, when purchasing goods, to give preference to goods "manufactured" in Texas. Current law already requires state agencies to give preference to goods produced and grown in Texas. While I support and encourage our agencies to buy goods from Texas businesses, this bill simply does not change current law."

I am sure the is more to it than that but the fact that the "reporting" didn't include Perry's official statement tells me which way they wanted their readers to think. (or not as it were)

[Pete]

I know he lives in Texas but there is more to the US than just Texas.

The bill he Referred to was to things made in Texas.

[Sdiver]

On believe me, I too question the name of the site (forwardprogressives .... ) and the way that the author of the article just ripped into Perry, and like JJ, I too think there might be something else going on behind the scenes.

But you have to admit, for a Governor, ANY Governor to veto a Bill that passes through their respected House with a unanimous "Yay", would get your spidy senses tingling too.

[SF18C]

Kinda like running a Raisin Reserve?

This is the kinda stuff that gets passed and NEVER repealed!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifest...a55_story.html

[SF18C]

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLoo...83R&Bill=HB535




Summary: Under current law, the Comptroller and all state agencies are required to purchase goods that are produced or grown by Texas or U.S. suppliers when cost and quality are equivalent with state or foreign competitors. HB 535 expands this provision to include bidders of manufactured goods as well as specifying that the state will promote Texas bidders. It also provides terminology clarification by removing the term "commission" and replacing it with Comptroller. The Government Code Section 2155.0011(b) references these two terms as equivalent.

Analysis: HB 535 requires the Comptroller's office or state agencies to choose products produced or grown in Texas or the United States when the cost and quality of those products is equal to that of out of state or overseas competitors. The legislation provides that the Comptroller's office or state agencies may purchase from out of state or international companies if they can obtain higher quality products at a lower cost.

If HB 535 did not specify that Texas and U.S. bidders receive preferential treatment only when the cost and quality are equivalent to out-of-state and foreign manufacturers, this legislation would inhibit market transactions and reduce competition. However, that is not the case. This legislation does not fit within the categories of our liberty principles, nor does it offend them; therefore, we do not object to the HB 535.