April 8, 1999

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 BILL 16, enacted by the Forty-Fourth Legislature, First Session, 1999.

This legislation would have transferred the State Park and Recreation Division from the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to the Tourism Department. This would have been an ill-advised reorganization. The Tourism Department is a relatively small department that does not have the administrative capability to effectively support the Park and Recreation Division. Furthermore, our state parks are being managed quite well for the benefit of our citizens in its current location.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor