706 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

A. I don't think so. I don't think the chances were ever too good
for passage in this session, but I was pleased that the Senate Finance
Committee did indicate that it approved the bill in principle, and I
sensed that to be the position of most of the legislators.

Q. Governor, I heard some of the legislators indicate that your posi-
tion on the pinball machines might really be the result of some kind
of a political vendetta that came up when you were County Executive.

A. I've heard this theory advanced and mainly by one person who
probably finds it very comfortable to look for someplace to run, but
I don't see how it makes any sense. How can it be political? Certainly
there's no political advantage in being against pinball machines that
I can see. Everything I have ever read that represents published state-
ments in the newspapers — in letters in the newspapers — in letters
to the editor and that sort of thing seems to condemn me for being
against them, so where is the political advantage?

Q. Well as the story goes, Governor, you are supposed to have been
upset because they wouldn't offer you any financial aid when you
were running for County Executive.

A. I have never had a chance to turn down so much financial as-
sistance in my life as I had from this source since I have been in
politics. I have refused it because it is dirty money and I'll continue
to refuse it.

Q. Governor, in your supplemental budget you have taken out the
$4. 5 million in State money for community mental health programs.
Does this mean that if the legislation failed that your program would
come to a standstill?

A. We've taken out what?

Q. The $4. 5 million taken out of the community mental health pro-
gram.

A. I am not aware of that. Is this construction money? (After an
explanation from a staff aide, the question was withdrawn. )

Q. Governor, if I may go back to your previous answer, you said
that you've never had a chance to turn down so much money and
you refused it and will continue to refuse it because it is dirty money.
Are you implying that they are still trying to get to you while you're
Governor?

A. Oh no, this — we were talking about my experience in the county
and when I ran for County Executive and when I ran for Governor.