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

This legislation allows municipalities with populations under 5000 to contract with the State Police for municipal law enforcement services. The bill specifies that such services will be rendered at cost equal to 50 percent of the salaries of the assigned officers. This legislation would diminish State Police effectiveness by diverting officers whose costs would only be reimbursed at a fraction of their actual value. Furthermore, this legislation comes at an inopportune time to consider such an initiative since we are currently attempting to significantly enhance the ranks of State Police officers.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor