Li Qiang's father attempted suicide after his pears were not accepted by the authority board.

But the 17 members of the authority board, which has the final say on air rights, are appointed by the Governor, often on the Mayor's recommendation.

Unable to get a commitment, the authority board renewed his contract for two years, even though it was not to expire until this spring.

In a written statement today, the governor called Mr. Kushner's decision to leave the authority board "regrettable."

Tom Kelly, a spokesman for the M.T.A., said last week that the authority board had agreed to the plan after it was proposed by Nassau officials.

And even rubber-stamping by the authority board, which is expected, would not necessarily end the matter.

After that, the proposal will be revised or submitted for a formal vote by the authority board.

Mr. Pataki's people say it is because they needed time to appoint extra members to some authority boards as required by the new law.

The rail plan was one of two major actions the authority board took at yesterday's meeting.

He also named three authority trustees today in the first step of a process that will bring the reconstituted authority board under his control.