Congestion Pricing
Streetsblog Basics
Time to Call Your Legislators About Congestion Pricing
With mixed messages at best coming from Albany and time running out, state legislators need to hear from constituents who support congestion pricing.
April 3, 2008
Pricing Round-Up: Dems Conference in Albany
Assembly Democrats met behind closed doors last night to gauge their collective sentiment on congestion pricing. According to the Post, only seven of the 36 legislators who spoke during the meeting expressed support, but the one who matters most, Shelly Silver, remains uncommitted:
April 3, 2008
Brennan Introduces Alternative Pricing Bill in Assembly
Assemblyman Jim Brennan, a Democrat from Brooklyn, has introduced a new congestion pricing bill, according to a statement released by his office. The bill contains some elements lifted from Mayor Bloomberg's original proposal, including:
April 2, 2008
Brodsky Presents Dems With a Choice: God’s Love or Al D’Amato
Richard Brodsky is using this letter to rally opposition to congestion pricing.
April 2, 2008
Corzine Ratchets Up Interstate Bickering
For months, New York legislators have insisted that New Jersey drivers pay a bigger chunk of the congestion fee than the pricing plan called for. Now that the pricing bill includes such a provision (which still doesn't satisfy Speaker Silver), New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine is crying foul. The amendment he objects to stipulates that the Port Authority contribute $1 billion to the MTA capital plan, or else drivers who
cross Hudson River tolls pay a bigger portion of the congestion fee.
April 2, 2008
Brooklyn Assemblyman “Protects Families” From Pricing
Richard Brodsky may have lost on Monday, but today his colleagues in Albany are parroting his talking points. A tipster sent us this constituent letter from Assemblyman William Colton, who represents Midwood, Bensonhurst and Gravesend in Brooklyn. Incidentally, a glance at this morning's map reveals that the City Council members who represent those neighborhoods, Simcha Felder and Domenic Recchia, voted in favor of pricing.
April 2, 2008
We Win!!!… a Trip to Albany?
This morning's Crain's Insider names Streetsblog one of the winners of Monday's congestion pricing vote in City Council. While we're honored, no one around here is spiking the ball or dancing in the end zone until New York's famously dysfunctional state legislature is done doing whatever it is they're going to do to the plan. Richard Brodksy is, for now, a loser who "overplayed his hand."
April 2, 2008
The City Council Vote in Two Dimensions
This map depicting Monday's City Council vote comes to us courtesy of Justin Kray at the Pratt Center for Community Development. You can use the City Council website to identify who represents which district. And here's some good data to go along with the map: car commute rates for every district.
April 2, 2008
NY1 Poll: How do You Want Your Legislator to Vote?
Beneath an ad banner hawking the BMW X5 sports ute ("with an optional third row seat!"), the NY1 web site is running a congestion pricing Snap Poll that asks, "How would like your state lawmakers to vote on congestion pricing?" Vote right here.
April 1, 2008
Parsing the Council Pricing Vote
But seriously folks, here are some quick hits from last night's congestion pricing council victory:
April 1, 2008