April 6, 2001

HOUSE EXECUTIVE MESSAGE NO. 97

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

This bill would create an Adult Services Department to administer state services to seniors and other adults. Creation of a new government agency would only serve to add another layer of bureaucracy and fragment the delivery of social services, especially Medicaid. The state already provides state-of-the-art, cost effective programs for New Mexico’s needy citizens, we need not interfere with the high quality of services already provided.

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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