March 11, 1998

The Honorable Raymond G. Sanchez and

Members of the House of Representatives

Executive-Legislative Building

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

Honorable Speaker and Members of the House:

I have this day VETOED and am returning HOUSE BILL 429, as amended,

passed by the Forty-Third Legislature, Second Session, 1998.

This legislation appropriates approximately $956,300 from the General Fund and $352,300 from unspent balances in legislative accounts for interim and pre-session expenses of the legislature. This legislation is vetoed because it constitutes an unnecessary use of the General Fund. Legislative fund balances are sufficient to comfortably accommodate all of the spending contemplated in this bill.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor

hemvH429