JUST SAY NO TO DRUG LEGALIZATION

Richardson Avoids Controversy

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson may be going out on a limb by
proposing state government spend an extra $175 million next year and
then basing this increase on an assumed $50 million in extra tax
collections and dipping into the state's tobacco settlement fund.

No doubt Richardson, a Democrat, will find support in New Mexico's
Democratically controlled Legislature.

Time will tell if Richardson is digging a financial hole for the
state.In the meantime, at least Richardson won't be digging himself a
hole by creating unnecessary controversy, unlike his predecessor.

Former Gov. Gary Johnson, a Republican, earned national attention for
his adamant support of drug legalization. Johnson was often at odds
with members of his own party, the federal government and law
enforcement, and monotonously pushed the issue at every opportunity.

Following a meeting Wednesday in New Mexico with the nation's drug
czar, John Walters, Richardson made it a point to say he will not
follow in Johnson's footsteps.

"The main message here to the director is that this governor is
against legalizing drugs and marijuana," Richardson said.

That should be welcome news for New Mexicans.

Johnson's personal crusade for drug legalization became a major issue,
and detracted from the governor's role. While Johnson is entitled to
state his opinion whether in or out of office, his incessant attempts
to keep the issue at the national forefront probably will be for what
he is most remembered.

While Richardson's increase in government spending deserves scrutiny
(especially the appropriation of tobacco money), his proposal to
reduce the personal income tax rate from 8.2 percent to 7.7 percent as
soon as possible has bipartisan support.

Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, a Portales Republican, said he
was "real hopeful that we can do some of these things."

Richardson is off to a good start by distancing himself from needless
past controversy.