Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell exercised his veto power for the first time Thursday by vetoing SB 966, a bill that would have required public school systems to provide 150 minutes of physical education per week for elementary and middle school students.
No one disagreed that physical education was a good thing but the 2011 Virginia General Assembly’s unfunded mandate provided one more financial requirement for already struggling school budgets. Public school systems had made it known they were unhappy with the legislation, were uncertain how to fund it, and did not know how it would fit it into an already full class schedule. After several years of laying off teachers resulting in increases in class size, school systems looked at SB 966 as yet another financial burden.
In announcing the veto, McDonnell reminded, “I have long opposed significant unfunded mandates passed from one level of government to another. Thus, I cannot in good conscience sign this legislation.”
School systems had advised that it would cost millions of dollars to implement the system which was not something the Governor was willing to pass on in these financially difficult times.
While thanking the legislators who encouraged the bill, he suggested other means for children to get plenty of activity by hitting the soccer fields and basketball courts while spending less time in front of computers and video games.
The General Assembly will consider the Governor’s veto when it meets the first week of April for the reconvened session.
