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 654, as amended, enacted by the Forty-Fourth Legislature, First Session, 1999.

This bill increases the cigarette tax. The revenues forecast for the state General Fund are sufficient to take care of the funding needs of the Cancer Center at the University of New Mexico Hospital. Therefore, there is no need to raise this tax.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor