Gov. Rick Perry has issued what might be the most controversial veto of this legislative session.

And to be candid, the veto is difficult to defend.

Perry sent Texas House Bill 242, which would have banned texting while driving, to the dust bin over the weekend. "Texting while driving is reckless and irresponsible," Perry said in a statement. True enough.

"I support measures that make our roads safer for everyone," he continued, "but House Bill 242 is a government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults."

Micromanage?

Is the state micromanaging adults' behavior by banning open containers of alcohol in a car? How about when it requires everyone in a vehicle to wear seat restraints? One might argue, for heaven's sake, that the state micromanages adults' driving behavior by setting speed limits on our roads and highways.

The law banning texting while driving is a public safety issue.

The governor is right to point out that the state already has laws against operating a motor vehicle recklessly. The argument dodges an important point - which is that people often are cited for reckless driving after that behavior has caused potentially grievous bodily injury - or worse - to someone else.

Several Texas cities have enacted ordinances banning this behavior. Amarillo hasn't yet imposed a citywide ban, although it has approved an ordinance banning texting and cell phone use while driving through a school zone.

Perry's veto is troubling in that he seems to be setting a new set of standards for behavior that puts people at risk. Isn't the act of texting while driving as risky as, say, driving drunk?

Indeed, it's instructive that even fellow conservative Republicans, such as state Rep. Jim Landtroop of Plainview, disagree with the veto, who called HB 242 part of legislators' responsibility to "protect the public's safety."

It's also part of the governor's job description.