March 11, 1998

The Honorable Manny M. Aragon 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 WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL 59, as amended, with certificate of correction passed by the Forty-Third Legislature, Second Session, 1998.

The number one reason to have signed this bill, according to the advocates, would be to curb the rate of children smoking. This is a worthy goal and the federal congress is poised to pass a significant tax on cigarettes that will do just this. I have been very vocal about my distaste for smoking, but I came into office determined not to raise taxes. I cannot and will not turn my back on this promise. It is regrettable that the legislature chose to fund worthy programs such as children’s health care and cancer research through a tax increase. Programs as important as these should be funded properly through the regular appropriation process. This would give these programs a more stable source of funding and eliminate the temptation of future legislatures to redirect funds from this cigarette tax to general operations of government

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor

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