Bloomberg's Traffic Plan Hits Speed Bump

(AP)  Gov. Eliot Spitzer and Assembly Democrats continued trying to make a last-ditch deal on a congestion pricing plan for New York City on Tuesday even after Mayor Michael Bloomberg said his traffic toll plan was dealt a severe blow when lawmakers could not reach agreement by Monday night.

While the toll plan is in doubt, Bloomberg also vowed to keep trying to improve the city's traffic flow and air quality.

"I don't know if it's dead or alive," he said Tuesday when asked about his plan. "Although we continue to talk to the Legislature and the governor, it's sad to note that after three months of working with all parties to address their questions, the failure of the state Assembly to act in time on a deadline imposed by the federal government is a terrible setback for clean air and to our critical commitment to fight climate change," Bloomberg said in a statement.

"I can't ascribe motives to the lack of action in Albany, but I can definitively say the environment and the future quality of life in New York took a beating," he said.

Also on Tuesday morning, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno declared Bloomberg's proposal dead and blamed the Democrat-controlled Assembly and Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

"Governor Spitzer chose not to exercise his leadership to encourage Senate Democrats to back this plan or compel the Assembly to return to Albany," Bruno, a Republican, said. "In the end, the governor's inability to bring people together has doomed this measure and cost the city hundreds of millions of dollars to improve mass transit."

Bloomberg's plan to reduce traffic in Manhattan was part of a wide-ranging package of environmental proposals that has won him national attention at a time when he is said to be contemplating a presidential bid. He vowed on Tuesday that his administration would go ahead with its other proposals.

While Bloomberg was conceding defeat, a new proposal negotiated by state leaders early Tuesday was still in play.

Spitzer spokeswoman Christine Anderson said that as of midmorning there was still hope for a deal and a spokesman for the Assembly wasn't confirming that congestion pricing was dead.

It wasn't clear if the proposal, even if it is approved this week in the Legislature, would be enough to qualify for a federal pilot program and as much as $500 million in federal funds to implement it.

No details of the new proposal, struck after 2 a.m. Tuesday, were released. There was no comment from Spitzer or Silver late Tuesday morning.

Bloomberg lobbied hard in Albany on Monday for his ambitious toll plan to clear Manhattan traffic congestion, but his efforts failed to get necessary legislative approval.

The mayor said his measure would reduce Manhattan's traffic gridlock while cleaning the air for kids and reducing greenhouse gases blamed for global warming. Bloomberg's plan includes an $8 toll for cars and a $21 toll for trucks to enter Manhattan's most heavily traveled business district during workdays, with the money going to transportation improvements.

[hungry1968]

Sheldon Silver is the worst New Yorker since David Berkowitz. The guy needs to be sent on the next shuttle to the sun.
Posted by treeemont at 04:01 PM : Jul 17, 2007


I don't know... It's pretty close between them two and Joe Bruno. He's a real piece of s*h*i*t. He's NY's version of George Bush.

[treeemont]

Sheldon Silver is the worst New Yorker since David Berkowitz. The guy needs to be sent on the next shuttle to the sun.

When Upstaters (rightly) complain that they're getting screwed over by the State Assembly, they're only looking at half the picture: the City's getting screwed over, too. Silver's been New York's de facto ruler for thirteen years, and all he has done is push it deeper into decline. This is just the latest example.

[nyckate]

TraffcBulldg - a new tax?? uhhh NO.

Fact is it can be extremely unpleasant in NYC as these morons who drive in and then find themselves in traffic jams honk their horns non-stop, yell, scream and then try adn run pedestrians over cause we're trying to cross the street to pick up lunch or get to train to go home from work.

This system is working well in London - and it can work well here to.

I agree anout the car-pooling - if you have to drive in might as well do it together!

[traffcbulldg]

Does anyone else see that this is just a new tax?

I just think the timing of congestion pricing is interesting. At a time when gas prices are high, and global warming is such a concern - that people are looking into carpooling more. The government gets 20% of sales tax revenue from new vehicles; gasoline and registration fees are extra.

If people carpool, then there would be less use of vehicle and thus less sales of new vehicles and gasoline. So, the politicians need to move their addiction to sales taxes of new vehicles and gasoline to a new revenue stream.

And here it is. The government double speak of "congestion pricing".

Look for a new tax on carpooling in the coming years.

They want us to have cars for the taxes and fees....but just to not use them in certain areas or at certain times of day.

Hey I got an idea, why don't the politicians talk about carpooling honestly and it's role in solving traffic, energy, and air pollution issues. And maybe while they are at it, they could get to work removing government waste so that we don't have to be so addicted to oil.

Cause if you notice, the carpool concept is being killed so that they can convert lanes to toll roads just like they have done in California and Florida. All in the name of congestion relief.

http://trafficbulldog.org is a carpool advocacy group committed to helping people form carpools. Carpools take pressure off of the gasoline pricess.... and get a little less money to terrorists.

[treeemont]

Sheldon Silver is the worst New Yorker since David Berkowitz. The guy needs to be sent on the next shuttle to the sun.

When Upstaters (rightly) complain that they're getting screwed over by the State Assembly, they're only looking at half the picture: the City's getting screwed over, too. Silver's been New York's de facto ruler for thirteen years, and all he has done is push it deeper into decline. This is just the latest example.

[nyckate]

bunch of low-lifes - they were upset because Bloomberg's "posture" wasn't good - he was probably supposed to arrive with perfume, candy and food to buy the lazy creeps off - oh and get down on his knees and beg them as well.

Silver was happy to announce that they've come to agree that this needs a more committees and longer time to study - yeah - right - in english that means more taxpayer dollars used to but these lasy bums off with lunches, dinners, hotels, drinks and maybe a trip or two to see how it works in London.

Looks like government really is nothing but a waste of money.