Johnson: No question. Being governor of a state gives you enormous ability to do just that. I think we have moved the needle in the right direction. I’ll be honest with you about where I think we have moved the needle the least. It’s probably in the welfare reform areas, in getting a handle on child support. I don’t think I have done anything to move the needle on education in New Mexico other than funding by about $500 million more.
Reason: How about tax cuts? Did you get the tax cuts you wanted to see?
Johnson: No. I cut taxes to the tune of about $123 million on an annual basis. [New Mexico’s budget will be $3.5 billion in fiscal year 2001.] But any citizen in the state would be hard pressed to tell you what any of those were. Every single year, I have advocated significant income tax reduction, and I will continue to do so. It’s significant that we’ve had no tax increases in New Mexico since I’ve been governor. It has never happened before. But we haven’t had the cuts I’ve wanted either.
Reason: Your term’s up January 1, 2003. What’s next for you? More politics?
Johnson: No politics in my future. I have effectively pulled the pin on my political career with my stance on drugs, and I recognize that up front.
Editor's Note: We invite comments and request that they be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of Reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason at any time.
Pingback| 10.13.09 @ 4:11PM
America's Most Dangerous Politician - Political Forum links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 10.14.09 @ 11:07AM
America's Most Dangerous Politician - Political Forum links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 10.14.09 @ 3:23PM
America's Most Dangerous Politician - Page 2 - Political Forum links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 10.22.09 @ 10:51AM
America's Most Dangerous Politician - Page 4 - Political Forum links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.22.09 @ 10:43AM
Gary Johnson For President, 2012? « Scarcity and Inequality links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 12.8.09 @ 9:02PM
Jim Scarantino links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 12.16.09 @ 4:59PM
Do you know your Gov't representatives - Political Forum links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 12.16.09 @ 5:02PM
Do you know your Gov't representatives - Political Forum links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 12.17.09 @ 3:17PM
Politico, Reason weigh in on Gary Johnson’s possible presidential race | Independent links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 12.17.09 @ 9:39PM
Would anyone here vote for this guy?? - VolNation links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
|2.6.10 @ 6:53PM|#
RUN GARY RUN!
Alex|9.15.10 @ 4:31PM|#
gary
Pingback| 2.7.10 @ 3:17AM
Reason.tv: Gary Johnson’s Our Americathe former NM governor’s vision for a truly fre links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.8.10 @ 1:40PM
Recently at Reason.tv: Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson’s Vision For a Truly Free links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.8.10 @ 4:31PM
Recently at Reason.tv: Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson’s Vision For a Truly Free links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.24.10 @ 11:51PM
Turmoil Over War, Immigration Threatens The Alternative Right « Locust blog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
geo news|7.20.11 @ 3:29PM|#
Very good work! I always like to leave comments whenever I see something unusual or impressive. I think we must appreciate those who do something especial. Keep it up, thanks
|11.25.11 @ 4:51PM|#
Why has Gary Johnson been blacklisted everywhere you look? Internet, TV, Newspapers, ect. I'm not talking about Ads.