April 8, 1999

The Honorable Raymond G. Sanchez 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 123 and HOUSE BILL 125

enacted by the Forty-Fourth Legislature, First Session, 1999.

These bills would have enacted adjustments in the funding formulae for public school equalization distribution and school transportation. In the absence of legislation providing meaningful public school reform, there is little incentive to approve legislation dedicated to fine-tuning the status quo. Our children are in desperate need of fundamental, far-reaching changes in education. Thus far, they have been offered only marginal adjustments to an ineffective system and no real change.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor