HOUSE EXECUTIVE MESSAGE NO. 71
The Honorable Ben Lujan and
Members of the House of Representatives
Honorable Speaker and Members of the House:
I have this day VETOED and am returning HOUSE BILL
91, as amended,
enacted by the Forty-Fifth
Legislature, First Session, 2001.
This bill would create a new administrative agency
to operate the ONGARD service center.
The ONGARD service center exists today, as it has for several years, under
a joint powers agreement among its three user agencies: the State Land Office, the Energy, Minerals
and Natural Resources Department and the Taxation and Revenue Department.
Although initially this complicated system had
several problems, the three user agencies have worked out most of them. I have received input from the oil and gas
industry who informed me that the system is much improved, especially in the
last two years. I also understand from
the industry that communication between the private sector and the center is
growing, which should lead to further enhancement and refinement of the ONGARD
system.
There is no need to create yet another unit of state
government. Furthermore a more formal structure would actually curtail the managerial and resource
flexibility necessary to deal with the underlying issues.
Sincerely,
Gary E. Johnson
Governor
RECEIVED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE
GOVERNOR:
Time: _____________________ By:_____________________________
Secretary of State
Date ______________________
Time:______________________
Date_______________________ By:_____________________________
Chief
Clerk of the House
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