STATE PAYS SECURITY TAB FOR JOHNSON'S DRUG LAW TOUR

While most of Gov. Gary Johnson's East Coast trip to talk about drug reform
is being financed by private interests, New Mexico taxpayers are footing
the bill for the governor's security while he's away from the state.

The state is paying the estimated $5,200 tab for the airfare and hotel room
for Johnson's security contingent during his 13-day trip to Florida,
Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., said David McCumber, the governor's
attorney.

That tab includes about $300 worth of change orders to reschedule flights
so that Johnson could be in Washington on Monday to receive an award from a
national AIDS organization for his efforts to enact HIV-related public
policy in New Mexico.

The per diem costs for Johnson's security escort will be calculated after
the governor returns to New Mexico on Tuesday, McCumber said.

State officials did not wish to have details on the number of security
personnel published.

Johnson is in Washington today, where he will be the featured speaker at a
drug reform conference sponsored by the National Organization for the
Reform of Marijuana Laws.

Johnson has garnered national attention during the past two years because
of his high-profile push to change drug laws, including the legalization of
some drugs.

After his speaking engagement today, Johnson is scheduled to appear on two
national TV shows Sunday.

Most expenses for Johnson's trip, aside from his security detail, are being
paid for by the organizations that invited him to the East Coast, including
NORML, Harvard University, Florida State University and AIDS Action.

Travel expenses for first lady Dee Johnson and the governor's press
secretary, Diane Kinderwater, are also being covered by some of those groups.

Kinderwater said part her trip is being paid by producers of NBC's "Meet
the Press," which will feature Johnson on Sunday.

Johnson took some "family time" while in Florida, which Kinderwater said
was not covered by any of the groups.

Kinderwater, reached in Washington on Wednesday, said Johnson feels his
time away from the state is justified because he is pursuing public policy
changes that he feels are important to New Mexicans.

"His position is this issue (drug reform) touches so many aspects of
government," Kinderwater said of Johnson. "He's compelled to have it
addressed."

Johnson's trip follows a failed attempt to change many of New Mexico's drug
laws at this year's Legislature.

He was able to get some bills passed, including one to expand a
needle-exchange program. But his effort to decriminalize the possession of
small amounts of marijuana and to legalize the use of marijuana for medical
purposes were unsuccessful.

House Majority Leader Danice Picraux said she thinks Johnson, as governor,
is crossing a line by leaving the state to advocate his own personal agenda.

"Between public opinion polls and the actions of the Legislature, it is
obvious we are not ready to legalize or decriminalize marijuana, let alone
cocaine or heroin," said Picraux, an Albuquerque Democrat.

"This really is a very personal issue with him (Johnson), and he is
pursuing a personal agenda. That's why people feel it's not quite right for
him to be using taxpayer money for his own personal agenda that is
different than the state's policy."

Johnson embarked on a similar speaking tour in 1999 to talk about drug
legalization and private school vouchers.

New Mexico taxpayers paid the $2,100 tab that year for security and an aide
who accompanied the governor to Washington, D.C.

The rest of that trip was funded by the Cato Institute, which sponsored a
drug debate that featured Johnson.