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