April 8, 1999

The Honorable Manny M. Aragon 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 123, as amended, enacted by the Forty-Fourth Legislature, First Session, 1999.

This legislation would have required certain elected county officials to work a minimum of 40 hours per week without fringe benefits afforded other county employees. Accordingly, decisions which affect the operation of local government are better left to locally elected officials. I am reluctant to impose statewide sanctions to address what appears to be a singular situation.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor