April 12, 2000

The Honorable Manny M. Aragon

Members of the Senate

Executive-Legislative Building

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

Honorable President and Members of the Senate:

I have this day VETOED SENATE PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SUBSTTITUE FOR SENATE BILL 9, as amended, enacted by the Forty-Fourth Legislature, Special Second Session, 2000.

This legislation creates a statutory trust fund in support of an array of loosely defined youth activities. No permanent sources of income to the trust fund have been identified, other than periodic legislative appropriations. The proceeds from the investment of the fund would be devoted to a grant program. This legislation has been vetoed because it is an unnecessary complication of the appropriation process.

There are a number of state agencies and private non-profit firms that are presently supporting the same type of programming that is contemplated in this legislation. The appropriation process can easily accommodate an increased emphasis on youth activities should that be the will of the legislature.

The legislation also allows the fund to accept deposits of private funds. Apparently the intention of this provision is for this trust fund to compete with the various charitable organizations for donations. I believe a state trust fund contending for private contributions would become a future state agency, something which I oppose.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor

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