Johnson was elected Governor of New Mexico in 1994 and reelected in 1998, the first governor in state history to serve two consecutive four-year terms. As Governor he annually reduced [[tax]]es $123 million, vetoed 750 bills (more than the other 49 governors combined) cut the rate of [[government]] growth in half, reduced [[welfare]] spending 30%, balanced the budget, eliminated the state's deficit, privatized half the state prisons, while increased the budget for the state's [[education]] system and signed a $1.2 billion highway improvement package to upgrade 500 miles of state roads. When leaving office New Mexico had 1,200 fewer state employees. <ref>http://listentovon.com/Johnson%20For%20America/meetgary.php</ref> | Johnson was elected Governor of New Mexico in 1994 and reelected in 1998, the first governor in state history to serve two consecutive four-year terms. As Governor he annually reduced [[tax]]es $123 million, vetoed 750 bills (more than the other 49 governors combined) cut the rate of [[government]] growth in half, reduced [[welfare]] spending 30%, balanced the budget, eliminated the state's deficit, privatized half the state prisons, while increased the budget for the state's [[education]] system and signed a $1.2 billion highway improvement package to upgrade 500 miles of state roads. When leaving office New Mexico had 1,200 fewer state employees. <ref>http://listentovon.com/Johnson%20For%20America/meetgary.php</ref> |