"The Right Thing to Do"

Less than two years ago, New York's Republican Governor Nelson Rockefeller submitted a bill that would compel homeowners to build their own fallout shelters; he got bluntly turned down by his G.O.P.-dominated legislature. But times change --and last week, less than six hours after convening for a special, two-day session, the state legislature overwhelmingly approved a program that will help provide shelters for the 4,100,000 persons connected with New York's schools, colleges and institutions. New York thereby took on the largest civil defense effort of any state in the nation.

Under Rockefeller's program--which he signed into law at week's end--New York will pay up to 50% of the cost of shelter building at schools and colleges, provide $15 million for shelters at state-run institutions. Although the program may cost $100 million or more, the state's taxpayers will not have to dig down for extra cash: the law merely unfreezes money that was originally set aside for new roads, and that became available for shelter use when Congress failed to provide sufficient matching funds. The legislation includes stiff penalties aimed at contractors who sell below-par shelter protection ($5,000 fines for corporations, six-month jail sentences or $500 fines for individuals).

Rocky's opposition tried to stall the bill until next January, claiming that they had not had time to absorb and study the 38-page legislative text. But even some Democrats admitted that the bill was sound and the shelters needed. Concluded State Senate Republican Leader Walter Mahoney: "Thank God we have a Governor with the courage and vision to say. 'This is the right thing to do, and let's do it regardless of political consequences.' "

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