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

This legislation would require families to furnish proof of health insurance coverage prior to enrollment in school or in a child-care facility. I have vetoed this legislation because our schools need to return to the core mission of educating our children and withdraw from being an extension of our social services agencies. Additionally, there are alternative means of achieving the goals of this legislation.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor