Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jan 2001 Source: Albuquerque Tribune (NM) Copyright: 2001 The Albuquerque Tribune Contact: P.O. Drawer T, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 Website: http://www.abqtrib.com/ Author: Lowry McAllen JOHNSON VOWS TO WORK CLOSELY WITH LEGISLATURE Legislators heard a mixed message from Gov. Gary Johnson in his State of the State speech when he said he's interested in working more closely with lawmakers, even as he put forth many of the same proposals that have been sore points of contention between himself and Democratic majorities in both houses. During his speech at the Roundhouse, Johnson presented a familiar set of pet projects, including school vouchers and income-tax reduction. These and other issues are familiar -- not only because they arise each year on Johnson's legislative wish list but also because they always draw heavy fire from the Democrat-controlled Legislature. However, Johnson did say repeatedly that he would like to launch a "new beginning" of more cooperative interaction with the Legislature. "I pledge to follow through and work closely with the Legislature to make good things start to happen," he said Tuesday. After the speech, he said his new attitude was due in part to the defeat in November's general election of former House Speaker Raymond Sanchez, who often clashed with Johnson, especially on issues like school vouchers. "I believe there's a different tone in the Legislature and it's a result of Raymond Sanchez not being there," Johnson said. Democrats said they were receptive to the call for cooperation. "We will open the doors to dialogue with the governor," said House Speaker Ben Lujan, a Nambe Democrat. "We're committed to working with him." "We will open the doors to dialogue with the governor," said House Speaker Ben Lujan, a Nambe Democrat. "We're committed to working with him." But some were skeptical about how much could actually be done on some of Johnson's long-standing goals. Rick Miera, an Albuquerque Democrat, said he was disappointed in the governor's renewed call for a school-voucher plan. "They've been looked at time and time again," said Miera, chairman of the House Education Committee. Pay raises, not vouchers, are the solution to New Mexico's poor showings in educational statistics, said Rep. Max Coll, chairman of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. "We're not paying a competitive wage," he said. "If we don't put more money into education in salaries, we're going to absolutely lose the best teachers. He (Johnson) is in denial about the pay issue." Johnson said he'd be willing to look at a bill on a pilot program to test school vouchers, something he's fought in previous legislative sessions. "Potential compromise? Certainly," Johnson said. But just how far Johnson would go to meet the Democrats in the middle remains to be seen, and legislators will adopt a show-me stance. "It's too soon to tell if he's going to look at compromising on education," said Rep. Mimi Stewart, an Albuquerque Democrat. Johnson's goal of overhauling drug policies -- which could include decriminalizing possession and focusing on treatment rather than punishment -- is one that neither Republicans nor Democrats relish. "I was very disappointed that he had to ask us as legislators to promote his drug plan," Lujan said. "There are very many more important issues that we need to address." Republicans echoed that feeling. "Most of it (drug reform) is dead-on-arrival in my opinion. Reducing sentences is not very popular," said Rep. Ted Hobbs, the House minority leader. Income tax reform may be one big-item issue on which the two parties could come together. Democrats haven't shot down the idea of using some part of the state's budget surplus this year to pass a tax cut. Hobbs said the Republican delegation is fully behind Johnson on his request for a $75 million income tax reduction. Both Hobbs and Coll said there's already some agreement between the governor and the legislature on the budget. "In the general budget we're closer than we've been in years," Coll said. "But we're way far apart on education." Tribune reporter Gilbert Gallegos contributed to this report. - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck