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 BILL 254, as amended, with emergency clause and certificate of correction, passed by the Forty-Third Legislature, Second Session, 1998.

This legislation would have imposed a moratorium on the Department of Health’s licensure of new intermediate core facilities for the mentally retarded. While the care given by these facilities is an important issue, intruding into the free market by way of this moratorium is not warranted. The Department of Health and Human Services Department should be able to appropriately address the needs of clients served by these facilities through their current framework.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor

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