April 5, 2001

SENATE EXECUTIVE MESSAGE NO. 61

The Honorable Richard Romero and

Members of the Senate

Executive-Legislative Building

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

Honorable President and Members of the Senate:

I have this day VETOED and am returning SENATE BILL 432, as amended, without certificate of correction, enacted by the Forty-Fifth Legislature, First Session, 2001.

This bill would create an office within the State Department of Education to administer the Medicaid in the Schools (MITS) program and establish a Medicaid in the Schools Advisory Counsel. The Human Services Department (HSD) currently administers the MITS program in New Mexico and obtains federal matching funds to support the program. This proposed change would fragment program administration and funding. It would create multiple layers of bureaucracy and require interagency cooperation without a clear primary agency with accountability. The Human Services Department is diligently working to make the MITS program in New Mexico a model worth duplicating nationwide. Splitting up the responsibilities and duties for this program would not create a more effective program, merely two agencies with only partial accountability. This is a worthwhile program that should not be jeopardized simply to provide a quick fix.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor

RECEIVED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR:

Time: _____________________ By:_____________________________

Secretary of State

Date ______________________

Time:______________________

Date_______________________ By:_____________________________

Chief Clerk of the Senate

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