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 PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL 775, enacted by the Forty-Fourth Legislature, First Session, 1999.

This legislation removes the requirement that the State Highway and Transportation Department obtain federal matching funds when state spending on the Public Mass Transportation Act exceeds $50,000 annually. I believe that the law, as presently written, is a reasonable means of insuring the economical administration of this program and should be retained.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor