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
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