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Congestion pricing poised for defeat

By David Freedlander, amNewYork Staff Writer
More stories | dfreedlander@am-ny.com

April 7, 2008

With a crucial congestion pricing deadline just hours away, backers of the plan fear that it's stalled in the place that matters most: Albany.

The state legislature must approve the plan by midnight Monday in order for the city to receive $354 million in federal mass transit funds.

"Two-thirds of New Yorkers support congestion pricing because they want less traffic and they want better transit," said Michael O'Laughlin, director of the Campaign for New York's Future, a pro-congestion pricing advocacy group. "If the federal government is willing to pay to get that started, it would be a tragedy to miss out."

Last week the City Council narrowly approved the plan to charge drivers an $8 fee to enter below 60th Street in Manhattan after fierce lobbying from Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

Some in Albany, though, say that the pressure that was brought to bear on city lawmakers is having the reverse effect upstate.

"City Hall has been its own worst enemy on this topic," said state Sen. Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn,) who was waiting to see the details of the final proposal before deciding whether or not to support it. "The mayor has said that he will target those that are against this and support candidates that are in favor of the legislation. We should judge this bill on its merits, not on threats."

Bloomberg administration officials dismissed such charges.

"Like every other New Yorker, we expect city lawmakers to do what's in the best interest of this city and their constituents," said John Gallagher, the mayor's spokesman. "Any program that cuts pollution, reduces traffic, helps our economy and provides billions for mass transit is in the best interest of New Yorkers."

Opponents of the plan were confident that the bill would be derailed.

"The idea that you charge people for getting on the FDR, who aren't even going into the freaking city, is nuts, absolutely nuts," said Assemb. Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn).

A group of some five dozen opponents of congestion pricing rallied on the steps of City Hall yesterday, calling the plan ineffective and an unfair tax on small businesses.

Gov. David Paterson and the state Senate is thought to favor the plan, but Albany insiders said its prospects in the Assembly are far less certain, particularly with a non-committal Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. A spokesman for Silver said yesterday that the speaker is still weighing the matter.

Still backers were hopeful.

"There is still a shot," said Assemb. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan). "There are some details that need to be addressed, but I don't think those are very heavy lifts."