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 21, as amended,

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

This legislation would provide for the financing of a new Metropolitan Court building to serve Bernalillo County. Although the construction of a new Metropolitan Court facility is warranted, I vetoed this legislation because it imposes additional fees statewide to construct a court which serves only Bernalillo County. It is, in my opinion, unfair to require citizens throughout the state to retire a debt which benefits only one county.

I recognize the need which this bill attempted to meet. I will consider legislation which the financial burden is imposed on that segment of the population actually served by the proposed facility

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor

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