Congestion Pricing Defeat a Win for the Boroughs?
The Times is describing the death of congestion pricing behind closed doors in Albany yesterday as something of a victory for Brooklyn and Queens, since the plan “was strongly opposed by a broad array of politicians from Queens, Brooklyn and New York’s suburbs, who viewed the proposed congestion fee as a regressive measure that overwhelmingly…
The Times is describing the death of congestion pricing behind closed doors in Albany yesterday as something of a victory for Brooklyn and Queens, since the plan “was strongly opposed by a broad array of politicians from Queens, Brooklyn and New York’s suburbs, who viewed the proposed congestion fee as a regressive measure that overwhelmingly benefited affluent Manhattanites.” Brooklyn City Councilmembers were clearly divided on the issue: Last week nine voted against the measure and seven voted for it. It remains to be seen now whether the residential parking permits initiative, which was contingent upon congestion pricing legislation passing, is also dead for the foreseeable future. Whether or not the defeat was a win for Brooklyn and the other boroughs, it was obviously a bruising loss for Mayor Mike. The mayor issued a statement that says, in part: “Today is a sad day for New Yorkers and a sad day for New York City. Not only won’t we see the realization of a plan that would have cut traffic, spurred our economy, reduced pollution and improved public health, we will also lose out on nearly $500 million annually for mass transit improvements and $354 million in immediate federal funds…It takes true leadership and courage to embrace new concepts and ideas and to be willing to try something. Unfortunately, both are lacking in the Assembly today. If that wasn’t shameful enough, it takes a special type of cowardice for elected officials to refuse to stand up and vote their conscience on an issue that has been debated, and amended significantly to resolve many outstanding issues, for more than a year.” Most of the dailies have stories about how Bloomberg played a hand in the bill’s defeat by using hardball tactics with legislators. The Times notes that “many opponents said they resented the pressure and threats that they said emanated from Mr. Bloomberg’s side, including hints that the mayor would back primary candidates to run against politicians who opposed congestion pricing.”
$8 Traffic Fee for Manhattan Gets Nowhere [NY Times]
It’s (Apparently) Official: Congestion Pricing Is Dead [Streetsblog]
Bloomberg Unleashes Fury as Silver Halts Congestion Pricing [NY Daily News]
Mayor’s Duck Is Looking A Bit Lame [NY Sun]
Nine Bklyn Councilmembers Vote Against Congest Fee [Brownstoner]
Mayor Rolls Out Resident Parking Permit Proposal [Brownstoner]
Photo by neysapranger.
You know what Montrose – if you dont have a bank account then I feel it is okay for the Government to say to you – you can’t own a car. I mean give me a break, you are steering a 2 ton object down the street that is capable of killing dozens, you need to have it registered, insured and inspected – how many people can get meet those criteria that do not have a BANK ACCOUNT? – and if there are a handful – so what – with rights comes responsibilities.
10:02, thanks for also missing (or at least not focussing) once again on my point. Actually, I prefer my fellow citizens, whom I do not deem villianous, do not suffer. Sorry you so wrongly misread me.
I support initiatives that will benefit future generations and am willing to sacrifice for them. I don’t need a gas guzzling car to get from point A to point B. I’m not demonizing drivers. But if I or anyone else has to pay more for the right to drive versus a more environmentally friendly mode of transportation, I’m willing to do that and wish others would as well. Maybe the current CP plan was flawed, but I would not totally dismiss the concept.
I do appreciate additional suggestions you have, as well as some of the excellent ideas by other anti-CP posters like 10:19.
the hard working people with vans were the first to get down with EZ Pass. people aren’t dumb.
they’ve made this work in all sorts of cities. London has more immigrants drivers than NY. This wasn’t rocket science.
This was about Albany vs NYC again. How DOES Silver stay in office?
This is what you get when you live in a major city!! Why is that so hard to understand. There is going to be car traffic, people traffic, everything. Just deal with it or pack up and head back to Mississippi. If I am driving into the city, I expect there to be a lot of traffic and it will take me a while to get whereever I am going. If I am in a rush, take the train. Whatever, this is city life people!!!
10:19 “If you want to go green… reduce the subway fare… etc”
And how do you intend to pay for that? (or any of your other proposal) Which non-regressive tax do you propose?
Would it be” institute a fair tax on high energy users (hummers, etc…)?”
Because those types of taxes (either gas or even on large vehicles) are the most regressive of all.
Ultimately it comes down to WHO PAYS AND HOW?
Seems to me that drivers into Manhattan M-F 6-6 are about the best people to tax to help pay for enviromental/mass transit issues – how do you disagree – if not them then WHO?
Can we secede from the state of New York, now, please?
I think our first commenter, 9:20 said it well.
One thing people forget, most especially a super rich guy like Bloomberg, as well as everyone here, is that the implementation of the plan had some big flaws, and those flaws would have stuck it to those who can least afford it, as usual, and not just in the fees themselves.
If the idea was to scan the plates and then charge people, did it ever occur to anyone that many drivers don’t have a credit card, or even a bank account to charge the fee to? Not to mention a computer to go on line and pay. There is a vast population out there, which includes many of those hard working people with vans, cars, and small trucks, who deliver everything from food to furniture, who may not be computer savvy, and who pay for everything either with cash or money orders.
To simply assume that everyone is operating on the same financial and technological level is arrogant and just wrong.
Well, OK, 10:15 guest, but an existing plan could be modified. Now we ain’t got NOTHING. And as long as NY State is run by a bunch of ignorant cronies, nothing is all we’re going to get. Why do those idiots get a say in this, anyway?
At the risk of seeming like an old fogie, Manhattan used to be a lovely, walkable city. It’s become really unpleasant. Much of what has made this place so magical is disappearing in a puff of car exhaust.
its amazing to see you guys jump all over CP like it was the second coming of hippie jesus.
Mayor proposses tolls on east river bridges, calls it “good for the environment” and all of a sudden its the story of whats wrong with the US?
Seriously.. tolls have had next to zero effect on traffic on the GW, VZ, Tri, Tap, or otherwise. All they do is make living in NY even MORE expensive and Elitist.
Oh yea sure, guy who lives in manhatten, park slope, williamsburg.. who doesnt own a car at all and doesn’t care who has to foot the bill so long as its “green” and will reduce the “evil cars” on the street feels fine.
But anyone with an ounce of sense should realize this is just a way to further our police/nanny state progression towards fascism (and/or communism). Sound over-board? So then, a poposal that limits the freedom of the lower classes, taxes them more heavily, institutes universal surveillance with unlimited data retention on “free” citizens, and drag-net punishes/fines violators by INTENTIONALLY NOT placing accessible toll booths prior to point of entry is ok?
I would be ASHAMED of an america that has forgotten its supposed rights and freedoms and history so much as to pass this not so hidden agenda.
If you want to go green… and to force/encourage others to do so as well… institute tax breaks on hybrids (or even just all-electrics), install fully separated bike and bus lanes, Give a tax rebates based on carbon use (high MPG car owners get more back, non car owners get even more)… reduce the subway fare… etc… Require all fleet vehicles (state, trucking, cabs, rentals, etc…) to have a high MPG or to be hybrids, etc…), institute a fair tax on high energy users (hummers, etc…).
The problem with CP is it doesn’t really fix anything, it just charges people with little choice in the first place more and restricts everyone in the process… on top of justifying another step towards a police state and loss of liberty.
just FYI, i do not own a car, i never have, im strongly against foreign oil, and hugely support/wish we could go all-electric ASAP. I rent a car once every two months if i need go anywhere… and even still i see CP as entirely wrong. People who believe that they should just levy a tax on OTHERS (since they rarely belong to said group) should read their US history a bit more.