Easley, Michael. Press Release, 2006-08-21, Gov. Easley Vetoes Senate Bill 542; Issues Executive Order Increasing Employee Access To State Facilities

Michael F. Easley Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor For Release: IMMEDIATE Date: Aug. 21, 2006 Contact: Sherri Johnson Phone: 919/733-5612 GOV. EASLEY VETOES SENATE BILL 542 Issues Executive Order Increasing Employee Access to State Facilities RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley has vetoed Senate Bill 542, “An Act To Allow Reasonable Access To State Facilities And Employees For Certain Employee Associations.” The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Daniel Clodfelter (D-Mecklenburg). This veto is Easley’s seventh. The text of the Governor’s Objections and Veto Message follows: Senate Bill 542 “An Act To Allow Reasonable Access To State Facilities And Employees For Certain Employee Associations ” would mandate access to state facilities and state employees for employee associations with more than 40,000 members for the purposes of membership recruitment, member consultation, and certain products such as insurance products sold by the associations. The floor of 40,000 members is substantially higher than other statutory requirements for minimum memberships of employee associations. This and other qualifications in the legislation would therefore have the practical effect of giving exclusive access to state facilities to only one employee association of the many who currently represent the interests of public employees. Such a prohibition is patently unfair and jeopardizes employee rights to free association. By enumerating the right of certain associations to have access to state facilities and employees to sell products offered on the commercial market, the legislation would also give an unfair competitive advantage to insurers affiliated with these particular employee associations. This provision, at the very least, gives an appearance of endorsement of these products by the state of North Carolina, which is inaccurate and therefore not acceptable. I have signed an executive order directing all state entities under my control and encouraging all other governmental entities to provide the reasonable access that this legislation attempts to afford employee associations if they meet current statutory requirements for payroll withholding. Since Executive Order 105 satisfies the core legislative intent of providing access among employees and their employee associations, while ensuring fairness, this legislation is not necessary. Therefore, I veto the bill. Governor's Press Office State Capitol. Raleigh, NC 27603-8001 (919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005 FAX (919) 733-5166