Two Railroad Aid Bills Are Signed by Dempsey

Gov. Dempsey signed into law Monday two measures designed to keep commuter service operating on the bankrupt New Haven Railroad.

By a stroke of his pen, Gov. Dempsey brought into being two new agencies ... the Tri-State Transportation Commission and the Connecticut Transportation Authority.

The CTA carries an appropriation of $1 million for operating expenses and a $2 million bond issue which could be used to either subsidize the New Haven Railroad commuter service or be used to take over actual operation of the trains if necessary.

The Tri-State Transportation Commission puts Connecticut into a compact with New York and New Jersey to handle transportation problems affecting the tri-state region including the problems of the ailing New Haven Railroad.

The Tri-State Transportation Commission compact already has been approved by the New York Legislature. New Jersey hasn’t ratified the agreement yet but Gov. Dempsey said that New Jersey Gov. Richard Hughes has given him assurances that the New Jersey Legislature will approve the compact when it reconvenes.

Both the Tri-State and the Connecticut Transportation Authority have the power to accept federal funds which can be used to help the New Haven Railroad.

The Governor said he has delayed appointing the members of the new agencies because he wants to make certain the appointees are the best persons available for the jobs. This, he said, takes time.

During the regular session of the Legislature, the railroad aid bills were among the most controversial in the General Assembly.

GOP leaders held up action on the Tri-State Transportation Commission on the grounds that it would provide no immediate solution to the problems of the New Haven Railroad.

In the closing weeks of the session, the GOP leaders came up with the Connecticut Transportation Authority bill and insisted that this measure be approved along with the Tri-State. The bill setting up the CTA, however, authorizes it to work with the Tri-State on rail problems.