BILL NUMBER: AB 1506 VETOED DATE: 09/30/2010 To the Members of the California State Assembly: I am returning Assembly Bill 1506 without my signature. This measure would require all state departments, upon a specified determination made by the State Controller's Office, to accept registered warrants, also known as IOUs, in lieu of cash payments. The issuance of IOUs represents an embarrassing failure on the part of the state to manage its finances. Unfortunately, if the Legislature does not pass a balanced budget soon, the possibility that the Controller will be forced to issue IOUs this year becomes all too real. I sympathize with businesses that were issued IOUs last year and those businesses that may receive them this year. IOUs place enormous financial strains on recipients who are unable to use them to pay their own obligations, including debts owed to the state. However, requiring state departments to accept IOUs in lieu of cash payments defeats the purpose of issuing IOUs in the first place. It would exacerbate the state's cash crisis and would accelerate the possibility of the state defaulting on its debt service and payroll obligations. Since IOUs could be avoided if the Legislature passed a balanced budget, I am unable to sign this bill. Sincerely, Arnold Schwarzenegger