192 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

been seeing frequently over a period of some four years, and I think he
was impressed with the people and with their overall grasp and ability
to evaluate the course that we charted in Maryland. It was a very
profitable meeting.

Q. What was the turning point in your decision to sign the bill allow-
ing income tax credit for the earnings tax?

A. I suppose the basic problem is that there happens to be some seri-
ous timing problems with respect to the substitution of the income tax
for the earnings tax. While the impact on the individual taxpayer that
would be caused by veto of this bill is small, nonetheless, the signing
of the bill is in accordance with our attempt to reduce as much as we
can the burden of the new taxes on the individual. So I have derided
to sign it.

Q. Governor, what have you decided to do with the bill that permits
the State Roads Commission to obtain rights-of-way with retirement
fund money?

A. I have pretty well decided to veto that bill. It's only permissive
legislation, and it really wouldn't do anything. But the unified posi-
tion in opposition that has been taken by the agencies, by the retire-
ment fund heads, has convinced me that it would be of no conceivable
benefit to anyone to sign it. Moreover, while I recognize the needs of
the State Roads Commission to have greater flexibility in obtaining
rights-of-way, this is not going to be the answer. Six percent money is
no conceivable benefit to the State at this time, and it does create a
proposition where there are temptations to run to the retirement funds
for assistance and possibly a modification to a lesser interest rate later
on. I have decided to veto that bill.

Q. Governor, have you talked to the New York bond people about
the possibility of voting a combined bond for the Bay crossing and
Harbor tunnel?

A. No, we did not. We talked very generally about toll facilities and
about the problems of toll facility financing, but we made no reference
to any such issue of that magnitude, and I might indicate very con-
clusively at this point, we haven't reached the stage in our thinking
when we've even decided on the priorities of these projects. The studies
are still in progress. As I indicated several months ago, the Harbor
crossing is unquestionably the highest priority, but beyond that we
have made no determination.