Albany Reform
Streetsblog Basics
Pricing Advocates Hear Excuses from Queens State Senator
Michael O'Loughlin of the Campaign for New York's Future leads the congestion pricing rally on the capitol steps.
March 18, 2008
More Mixed Signals on Pricing’s Chances Under Paterson
"Today is Monday. There is work to be done."
March 17, 2008
Paterson: “We’re Taking a Look” at Pricing
David Paterson held his first press conference as governor-in-waiting this afternoon, holding forth to a Red Room described by Elizabeth Benjamin of the Daily News as "more crowded than I have ever seen it in the almost 10 years I've been covering Albany."
March 13, 2008
Advocates Continue Pricing Push
With all eyes on the governor's Fifth Avenue apartment, congestion pricing supporters are nevertheless soldiering on. The Empire State Transportation Alliance is one of several groups in Albany today, trying to get lawmakers' attention despite what has been described as a "surreal" atmosphere. [Insert "Yeah, and?" joke here.]
March 11, 2008
Charting a Course for Pricing Through City Council
Crain's Insider has the most detailed look yet at the odds that the City Council will pass a congestion pricing bill [PDF]. The good news is that pricing stands a decent chance of getting through committee, thanks in part to some maneuvering by Speaker Christine Quinn. As things progress, expect to hear more about uncommitted council members like Larry Seabrook (right), who may cast the deciding vote in committee. Via The Politicker, here's the scoop from Crain's:
March 7, 2008
Silver Calls Hearing on Pricing and MTA Capital Plan
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver will hold a hearing Thursday on how congestion pricing revenues would figure into the MTA's five-year capital plan. He will be joined by anti-pricing Assembly Members Richard Brodsky and Denny Farrell.
March 5, 2008
Denny Farrell: Less Traffic and Pollution? No Thanks.
Just two of the 17 members of the Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission, Assemblymen Richard Brodsky and Herman "Denny" Farrell, voted against the revised congestion pricing plan that now awaits approval by the City Council and state legislators, all of which must happen by March 31 if the city is to receive $354 million in federal funds for upfront citywide transit improvements.
March 3, 2008
Proof That Congestion Pricing Supporters Do Exist in Queens
Transportation Alternatives Queens Committee Chair Mike Heffron sends along this report from last night's traffic commission hearing at York College in Jamaica, Queens.
January 25, 2008
Disconnect Between Pols and People at Brooklyn Traffic Hearing
On balance, speakers at last night's traffic mitigation hearing in Brooklyn delivered a pro-pricing message -- a strong one if you discount the politicians who said their piece and left the auditorium before their constituents got to the mic.
January 25, 2008