April 6, 2001

HOUSE EXECUTIVE MESSAGE NO. 89

The Honorable Ben Lujan and

Members of the House of Representatives

Executive-Legislative Building

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

Honorable Speaker and Members of the House:

I have this day VETOED and am returning HOUSE BILL 539, as amended

enacted by the Forty-Fifth Legislature, First Session, 2001.

This legislation exempts public school purchases of New Mexico grown agricultural products from provisions of the Procurement Code.

The purpose of the Procurement Code is to provide fair and equal opportunity for all businesses to provide goods and services to instrumentalities of the state. Carving out New Mexico farm products creates an uneven playing field for those businesses wishing to negotiate with school districts in good faith. The addition of exceptions to the Procurement Code with no basis other than to address parochial concerns is not a change in the law that I can support.

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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