April 5, 2001

SENATE EXECUTIVE MESSAGE NO. 67

The Honorable Richard Romero 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 450, as amended, enacted by the Forty-Fifth Legislature, First Session, 2001.

This bill increases the salaries of certain elected state officials beginning January 1, 2003. Although I initially supported this legislation, I have learned that the salary increases would put New Mexico near the top of the list of elected state officer compensation in the United States. For example, the bill’s proposed increase in the governor’s salary would make New Mexico’s governor one of the best paid chief executives in the nation, more than populous states like Maryland, Missouri, and Washington. I believe the issue of state official compensation is worthy of exploration, but not to the extent provided in this bill. In preparation for the 2002 legislative session, I look to the legislature to provide me with a state official pay increase package that takes into account: 1) the salaries of officials from other states with states of similar complexity and size to New Mexico; 2) the level of compensation necessary to attract competent and effective New Mexicans to elected office; and 3) the appropriateness of compensation in comparison to the state’s financial resources.

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 Senate

Sem67sb450v