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Something is happening with congestion pricing in Albany, but we're not exactly sure what. It's not put-a-fork-in-it dead yet, but it might be close to it. Or not!
WCBS said the plan was "dealt [a] crippling blow", but Spitzer's staff is looking to create a commission that would give Albany the power to scale the plan back. The Daily News said that Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver won't bring his members back to vote on it on Monday, when the federal deadline on $537 million in potential funds will expire. However, Silver is open to bringing members back later in the week.
NY1's "the Assembly is stalling on the plan" story has this Silver quote: "I believe the real solution is that everybody put their heads together, take everything that has been submitted and probably future statements, future testimony, future experts and put together a plan that deals with congestion, that deals with the environment." Mayor Bloomberg is planning on going to Albany on Monday to make a last appeal (half a billion in federal money is nothing to sneeze at), though some wonder why he's not in Albany right now.
We attended Community Board 7's Transportation Committee meeting last night, where Bruce Schaller, the Deputy Commissioner of Planning and Sustainability (a position created for him), gave a presentation about the congestion pricing component of PlaNYC. Certainly, the concerns of the residents who attended the meeting included questions about why the zone starts at 86th Street, in a residential neighborhood, and why would reverse-commuters be penalized. In fact, one woman gave a passionate speech, noting that her drive to Connecticut was miserable and hideous and she did not wish it upon anyone, but her office is miles from the train station leaving her no choice but to drive.
There was also some skepticism about whether the revenue generated from congestion pricing would actually go to NYC mass transit improvements, versus state groups trying to take a cut of it. Schaller and other DOT representatives said that the congestion pricing revenue would go in a "lockbox" and that legislation would mandate that funding be used for NYC transit projects and road improvements.
Schaller said that the goal is to have Legislature pass the concept of congestion pricing so the city can qualify for federal funding and that details, like the 86th Street border and possible exemptions for reverse commuters, could be worked out later. Which we hadn't quite realized before, because most of the attention has been on the plan as is. CB 7 members were vocal about the border moving to 60th Street, where the Central Business District begins; CB 7 covers the West Side between 60th and 110th Streets. As for timing of the project, Schaller said the hope is to get congestion pricing started in the first or second quarter of 2009, with the city and other agencies (like the MTA) would spend the time leading up to it to get ready.
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Silver is still a dickhead. What's the point of bringing the Assembly in late next week if the chance at all that federal funding expires on Monday?
Do you hear that sound? It's the sound of half a billion dollars being flushed down the toilet. Wave bye-bye!
we would have never received the money anyway, just like we're still waiting for the 20 Billion from 9-11. it's just a tactic to get things moving.
"form a commission" = hand out money to cronies.
There is no reason for anyone to drive a car in NYC let alone downtown Manhattan.
Seriously - what the hell is wrong with Sheldon Silver? This piece of news gets me too: http://www.villagevoice.com/people/0727,taormino,77115,24.html
I realize this is a long shot, but everyone who lives in Silver's district (the lower east side and downtown) should call his office and voice their support for the project.
It can't hurt.
DISTRICT OFFICE
250 Broadway
Suite 2307
New York, NY 10007
212-312-1420
Why the hell would anyone with tiny bit of brain live in manhattan and commute to connecticut. That makes absolutely ZERO sense.
i'm glad to see this bill die, the last thing the gov't needs is more taxes, esp in NYC.
i'm glad to see this bill die, the last thing the gov't needs is more taxes, esp in NYC.
Hey asshole (number 7)- the same reason I live in Manhattan and commute to New Jersey. Probably because she has a good job in CT but enjoys culture and nightlife. Idiot.
Why the hell would anyone with tiny bit of brain live in manhattan and commute to connecticut. That makes absolutely ZERO sense.
If you're in your twenties and single and don't want to live in Connecticut it makes perfect sense. I know two people that did the reverse commute strictly for the social life in New York. I know another that reverse commuted because he moved to New York with his gf who worked at the UN. His commuter gave him a transfer but their offices are in White Plains.
yeah, even if the MTA received the money, which is debatable since they are not required to in the bill, i wonder how much they would waste in their creative accounting practices.
10 - beat me to it... well said.
To pretend that the issue is whether anyone wants a better environment or not is nonsense. Who doesn't want cleaner air to breathe? But this is not the way. Show us some real initiative instead of passing it off on the people who have been victimized by cavalier anti-environment for for decades. The "green" issue is nothing new.
If the government (on our behalf) is interested in reducing the carbon foot print of NYC, start with the biggest feet: Con (job) Edison, Big real estate owners, Industry, Trucks and Busses, etc, etc. - not the little guy. This whole thing is bullshit. They just want that fed money to distribute to the very people that should be taking more responsiblity for environmental issues and never do. Its a total scam!
Aces and Eights: I couldn't agree with you more. That's the bottom line here. Anything that reduces the number of people driving in Manhattan is a good thing period. Too many folks are bitching and moaning that congestion pricing is an unfair tax on people, but I think there is no reason to drive a car in Manhattan. I'm extremely proud of the fact that I've never even had a driver's license, let alone owned a car. In almost every case taking the subway, walking or biking in Manhattan is the faster ,cheaper, less frustrating option. I have no pity for anyone who uses a car to get around the city.
While reverse commuting has its merits, I can't see why it should be exempted. It's still a car running in the central district (and maybe driving around at the end of the day trying to find a parking space).
Hey #14 - cars are far dirtier than electric generating plants. And aside from pollution traffic from commuters and tourists does not make good use of the roads which should be utilized by commerical vehicles. Business creates jobs and trucks stuck in traffic don't help the economy.
And unfortunately all the fat cat lawyers and bankers getting driven home in livery cabs probably live and work in the zone so won't have to cough up extra dough. Too bad.
17
Of course its better to have less cars in New York. No one disagrees with that. Don't you see that these politicians get us to invest our best intentions into their ridiculous money grubbing plans?
When will we hear some intelligent insight into the bigger problem from any of those thieves?
I take the subway to work, and guess what? It costs $4 a day. Do you hear me whining about how I have no choice?
I think the real root of congestion charge opposition is that some people just don't want to pay for the resources they are consuming.
i told u all the money was a BS tactic:
http://www.fightgridlocknow.gov/presscoverage/pc070615WCBS.htm
it doesn't exist... congress never signed off on any thing of the sort. bloomberg is a lying POS.
this whole thing has nothing to do with reducing traffic, they want more drivers to raise more tax money. it also serves to allow the NYPD surveillance cameras to be put throughout the city (as if that hasn't been abused in the past)
Ha! I knew it, when the polls turned against the plan, suddenly all this "money" was somehow available. This is ridiculous.
Thank you 8/9 & 14....and I don't even own a car.
TURN THE FUCKING GREY OFF THE GUEST POSTS!!!!!!!!
DAMN YOU GOTHAMIST!
its the oldest misdirection trick in the book. you want NYPD surveillance everywhere, but don't think the public will go for it after prior abuses, so wrap it in something else that is contentious and people forget about the details. also, I'm sure after the bill passes they hope we all forget about the 500M that never existed. this happens all the time in ny. what ever happened to the owners of Madison square garden with all the housing they were promising to build on the rail yards as long as the city didn't approve any competition for their venue... oops, hope everyone forgot. what happened to the other times we were promised a 2nd avenue subway that never panned out... oops hope you forgot that, too. as much as i would like to see less congestion, this is all a joke and has nothing to actually do with solving that problem.
#21: "The polls" are in favor of congestion pricing.
source: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2007/06/q_poll_spitzer_up_legislature.htmlGraying guests is a bit annoying and ineffective. The "guest" handle is clear enough. Besides, the "member" handles are no less annonymous after all. "Accountability" in this case is just a choice for folks to build a clear identity, which should be a choice, not a requirement. Most readers of Gothamist got past 8th grade and can tell at a glance if we want to fully read a post or not. How can the the cutting edge of NYC blogs be so internet retro?