Comments on: $1 Billion From Port Authority Not Enough for Shelly Silver http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Cap'n Transit http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-47152 Cap'n Transit Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:11:34 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-47152 Looks like the City Council's superficial notions of "equity" are coming back to bite them on the ass: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/02/nyregion/02congestion.html http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--trafficfee0401apr01,0,5184472.story http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/corzine_blasts_ny_officials_fo.html ...unless what they wanted was a poison pill, of course. Looks like the City Council’s superficial notions of “equity” are coming back to bite them on the ass:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/02/nyregion/02congestion.html
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj–trafficfee0401apr01,0,5184472.story
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/corzine_blasts_ny_officials_fo.html

…unless what they wanted was a poison pill, of course.

]]> By: Niccolo Machiavelli http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-47063 Niccolo Machiavelli Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:53:13 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-47063 It is what it is Spud. And, I'm assuming you are correct that he hooks up his family. Don't you? I do, when I can. I'm not expecting him to be purer than Caesar's wife. He has his problems with the Law. I'm just saying he has a clear understanding of the dynamics of mass transportation and how it drives urban political economies. Bloomberg has never returned the city piece of the MTA cuts either, but he came up with this instead and Joe Bruno supported it. What more do you want out of a guy who raises horses in Rensaeler County. Still he does more for mass transit before he gets out of bed in the morning than the politicians who slammed the MTA fare increase but still voted no on CP do in their entire careers. Bill De Blasio could learn a lot from the guy, including about how to be Italian. It is what it is Spud. And, I’m assuming you are correct that he hooks up his family. Don’t you? I do, when I can. I’m not expecting him to be purer than Caesar’s wife. He has his problems with the Law.

I’m just saying he has a clear understanding of the dynamics of mass transportation and how it drives urban political economies. Bloomberg has never returned the city piece of the MTA cuts either, but he came up with this instead and Joe Bruno supported it. What more do you want out of a guy who raises horses in Rensaeler County. Still he does more for mass transit before he gets out of bed in the morning than the politicians who slammed the MTA fare increase but still voted no on CP do in their entire careers. Bill De Blasio could learn a lot from the guy, including about how to be Italian.

]]> By: Doc Barnett http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-47059 Doc Barnett Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:24:11 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-47059 Aside: please excuse my comment of 11:30 suggesting the Climate Change PAC to dispose of Bruno; in my haste I overlooked that he has not been an opponent. "Respect the Past" you may have missed <a href="http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/27/pro-pricing-pac-puts-pols-on-notice/" rel="nofollow">this post</a> from Thursday (it is easy, in the current frenzy!). The Climate Change PAC <i>is</i> the PAC you are looking for. "We're not only going to weigh this heavily when making endorsements, but how people vote on congestion pricing will weigh very heavily in how we use the PAC money." Sorry to keep harping on it, but I am thrilled to have somewhere to invest in no-excuses conservation policy for the city. I had hoped this was coming, after seeing internet fundraising make such a difference lately in national politics. In local politics it could be even more dramatic. Livable streets fans should consider giving to the PAC now, while it can help Albany make up its mind. Even after we get pricing approved (I'll let myself be that optimistic now) it will continue to need political support, and there will be other challenges after this one to secure the public transit and space for humans that our city deserves. Congestion pricing is not the holy grail, as a friend of ours is fond of saying. It's more like a yellow brick road. Aside: please excuse my comment of 11:30 suggesting the Climate Change PAC to dispose of Bruno; in my haste I overlooked that he has not been an opponent. “Respect the Past” you may have missed this post from Thursday (it is easy, in the current frenzy!). The Climate Change PAC is the PAC you are looking for. “We’re not only going to weigh this heavily when making endorsements, but how people vote on congestion pricing will weigh very heavily in how we use the PAC money.”

Sorry to keep harping on it, but I am thrilled to have somewhere to invest in no-excuses conservation policy for the city. I had hoped this was coming, after seeing internet fundraising make such a difference lately in national politics. In local politics it could be even more dramatic. Livable streets fans should consider giving to the PAC now, while it can help Albany make up its mind. Even after we get pricing approved (I’ll let myself be that optimistic now) it will continue to need political support, and there will be other challenges after this one to secure the public transit and space for humans that our city deserves. Congestion pricing is not the holy grail, as a friend of ours is fond of saying. It’s more like a yellow brick road.

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-47054 Spud Spudly Tue, 01 Apr 2008 03:58:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-47054 That is by far that most effusive praise I've ever heard of Joe Bruno outside of his district, where his every niece, nephew and brother-in-law has a cushy state job doing something of marginal importance to the taxpayers such as renaming public works in Bruno's honor. He chopped state support for the MTA -- but how could he not? He killed off the commuter tax -- but his hands were tied! Quite the apologist you are. That is by far that most effusive praise I’ve ever heard of Joe Bruno outside of his district, where his every niece, nephew and brother-in-law has a cushy state job doing something of marginal importance to the taxpayers such as renaming public works in Bruno’s honor.

He chopped state support for the MTA — but how could he not? He killed off the commuter tax — but his hands were tied! Quite the apologist you are.

]]> By: Niccolo Machiavelli http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-47036 Niccolo Machiavelli Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:23:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-47036 I disagree with Spud's reflexive, superficial and simplistic view of Joe Bruno. Granted Bruno was part of the tag team that eliminated State support for the MTA over the last decade. But when the Mayors of NYC, one after the other, eliminated theirs it would have been too much of a lift for him to do otherwise. A lot like the lamented loss of the Commuter Tax. When Giuliani was attempting to bribe the NYC real estate industry it became impossible for any upstate and suburban politicians to continue the Commuter Tax. Joe Bruno is a practical politician who wants to retain his majority against a tidal wave of registration. However, he does have a complete and nuanced understanding of mass transit issues and has pushed many progressive and innovative ideas. The two are not mutually exclusive and I think that is what drives him here. He thinks his commitment to good transportation policy will help him retain his majority. I just wish Bruno and the Senate Majority would take on Main Line Third Track on the LIRR, the rookie Democrat Johnson opposes it and it would be nice to see the Republicans raise it as an issue trying to take back that seat. I disagree with Spud’s reflexive, superficial and simplistic view of Joe Bruno. Granted Bruno was part of the tag team that eliminated State support for the MTA over the last decade. But when the Mayors of NYC, one after the other, eliminated theirs it would have been too much of a lift for him to do otherwise. A lot like the lamented loss of the Commuter Tax. When Giuliani was attempting to bribe the NYC real estate industry it became impossible for any upstate and suburban politicians to continue the Commuter Tax.

Joe Bruno is a practical politician who wants to retain his majority against a tidal wave of registration. However, he does have a complete and nuanced understanding of mass transit issues and has pushed many progressive and innovative ideas. The two are not mutually exclusive and I think that is what drives him here. He thinks his commitment to good transportation policy will help him retain his majority.

I just wish Bruno and the Senate Majority would take on Main Line Third Track on the LIRR, the rookie Democrat Johnson opposes it and it would be nice to see the Republicans raise it as an issue trying to take back that seat.

]]> By: Hilary http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-47015 Hilary Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:25:25 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-47015 Let's hope the billion comes from the Freedom Tower project instead... Let’s hope the billion comes from the Freedom Tower project instead…

]]> By: Jason A http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-47014 Jason A Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:23:58 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-47014 If the PA is expected to contribute an additional billion dollars a year to the MTA, wouldn't the PA then need an additional revenue source to offset this new payment? Seeing that the Hudson crossings are a significant source of PA revenue, wouldn't it reason that the Hudson tolls will have to (again) rise? I honestly don't know... But that's what seems obvious to me... If the PA is expected to contribute an additional billion dollars a year to the MTA, wouldn’t the PA then need an additional revenue source to offset this new payment? Seeing that the Hudson crossings are a significant source of PA revenue, wouldn’t it reason that the Hudson tolls will have to (again) rise?

I honestly don’t know… But that’s what seems obvious to me…

]]> By: Doc Barnett http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-46997 Doc Barnett Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:02:36 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-46997 But if he doesn't vote in their interests on things that matter, what's the point of his clout? I'm sitting in that district right now, and I can't think of anything feasible that would have a better effect on the daily lives of residents (and workers) than cutting back congestion and improving transit. But then, I'm also sitting in Streetsblog. And I've also been accused of being a one issue voter on a half dozen issues (?). Primary candidates often agree on the bulk of the "issues," even if they've got it all wrong (gas is too expensive, baa!), so you can and must base a voting decision on a single one. This year in NYC it will be congestion pricing, for a lot of people on both sides. There is PLENTY of time (and money) to educate the public and get subway riders appropriately riled up if things don't go our way this week. But if he doesn’t vote in their interests on things that matter, what’s the point of his clout? I’m sitting in that district right now, and I can’t think of anything feasible that would have a better effect on the daily lives of residents (and workers) than cutting back congestion and improving transit. But then, I’m also sitting in Streetsblog. And I’ve also been accused of being a one issue voter on a half dozen issues (?). Primary candidates often agree on the bulk of the “issues,” even if they’ve got it all wrong (gas is too expensive, baa!), so you can and must base a voting decision on a single one. This year in NYC it will be congestion pricing, for a lot of people on both sides. There is PLENTY of time (and money) to educate the public and get subway riders appropriately riled up if things don’t go our way this week.

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-46994 Spud Spudly Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:43:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-46994 Good luck to you Paul, you'll need it. The people in his district would be nuts to vote out Shelly since he makes their little slice of heaven the most politically powerful enclave in the entire state of New York. I doubt they're one issue voters as obsessed with congestion pricing as the people on Streetsblog, and if they were upset by his corruption of the system they could have gotten rid of him years ago. As for Bruno, he supports CP for two main reasons: First, Bloomberg's money told him to. Second, he's looking forward to having another excuse to slash state support for the MTA. That may sound cynical of me but look who we're talking about here. Good luck to you Paul, you’ll need it. The people in his district would be nuts to vote out Shelly since he makes their little slice of heaven the most politically powerful enclave in the entire state of New York. I doubt they’re one issue voters as obsessed with congestion pricing as the people on Streetsblog, and if they were upset by his corruption of the system they could have gotten rid of him years ago.

As for Bruno, he supports CP for two main reasons: First, Bloomberg’s money told him to. Second, he’s looking forward to having another excuse to slash state support for the MTA. That may sound cynical of me but look who we’re talking about here.

]]> By: Paul Newell http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-46993 Paul Newell Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:36:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-46993 For more info on my stand on congestion pricing, check out The Albany Project: http://www.thealbanyproject.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2616 Thanks, Paul Newell Democrat for Assembly, 64th District Lower East Side, Chinatown, Financial District, Battery Park City http://www.NewellNYC.org For more info on my stand on congestion pricing, check out The Albany Project:

http://www.thealbanyproject.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2616

Thanks,
Paul Newell
Democrat for Assembly, 64th District
Lower East Side, Chinatown, Financial District, Battery Park City
http://www.NewellNYC.org

]]> By: Paul Newell http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-46990 Paul Newell Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:32:26 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-46990 Want to get rid of Sheldon Silver? Here's how. I am running against Silver in September's Democratic Primary, his first challenger in over 20 years. I am a firm supporter of congestion pricing, and have highlighted the issue in my campaign. Support my campaign here: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/18787 Check out our website and shoot me an email here: http://www.newellnyc.org/ Thanks, Paul Newell Democrat for Assembly, 64th District Lower East Side, Chinatown, Financial District, Battery Park City http://www.NewellNYC.org Want to get rid of Sheldon Silver? Here’s how.

I am running against Silver in September’s Democratic Primary, his first challenger in over 20 years. I am a firm supporter of congestion pricing, and have highlighted the issue in my campaign.

Support my campaign here: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/18787

Check out our website and shoot me an email here: http://www.newellnyc.org/

Thanks,
Paul Newell
Democrat for Assembly, 64th District
Lower East Side, Chinatown, Financial District, Battery Park City
http://www.NewellNYC.org

]]> By: Shemp http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-46989 Shemp Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:30:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-46989 To get rid of Silver, you would have to start a movement of people to move their residences to his district, like the libertarians moving to New Hampshire. To get rid of Silver, you would have to start a movement of people to move their residences to his district, like the libertarians moving to New Hampshire.

]]> By: Respect the Past http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-46984 Respect the Past Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:40:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-46984 I know that there are a few similar groups in the works, but is there any way to organize a political PAC who will support all candidates that support CP? Any other way to get rid of Sheldon Silver? Can not handle this guy any more, and I'm a Dem. I know that there are a few similar groups in the works, but is there any way to organize a political PAC who will support all candidates that support CP? Any other way to get rid of Sheldon Silver? Can not handle this guy any more, and I’m a Dem.

]]> By: fdr http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-46967 fdr Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:59:33 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-46967 Silver has a couple of potential opponents but I don't think anyone considers him to be in serious political trouble. As for Bruno, he's for congestion pricing, and anyway, I don't think his constituents care if people in NYC are mad at him. Probably makes him politically stronger. Silver has a couple of potential opponents but I don’t think anyone considers him to be in serious political trouble. As for Bruno, he’s for congestion pricing, and anyway, I don’t think his constituents care if people in NYC are mad at him. Probably makes him politically stronger.

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-46958 Spud Spudly Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:43:26 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-46958 A <b>gift</b> of $354 million would be wonderful, but it has more strings attached to it than a marionette. And the number isn't big enough to get most people excited enough to overlook those strings. It's like a rich uncle paying you off to marry your ugly second cousin and go into the family mortuary business. (Or whatever) A gift of $354 million would be wonderful, but it has more strings attached to it than a marionette. And the number isn’t big enough to get most people excited enough to overlook those strings. It’s like a rich uncle paying you off to marry your ugly second cousin and go into the family mortuary business. (Or whatever)

]]> By: Doc Barnett http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-46956 Doc Barnett Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:30:04 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-46956 "Can someone tell me how we get both Bruno and Silver sent to the trash-heap?" <a href="https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/255/donate.asp?formid=climatedon" rel="nofollow">Donate</a>! “Can someone tell me how we get both Bruno and Silver sent to the trash-heap?”

Donate!

]]> By: rlb http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-46953 rlb Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:16:08 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-46953 If 354 million is a spit into the bucket, then the 21 million that the MTA came up short on those fare increase related enhancements is the droplet of spittle which ricocheted out. If so small a volume could have resulted in tangible benefits, a gift more than ten times the size shouldn't be taken too lightly. If 354 million is a spit into the bucket, then the 21 million that the MTA came up short on those fare increase related enhancements is the droplet of spittle which ricocheted out. If so small a volume could have resulted in tangible benefits, a gift more than ten times the size shouldn’t be taken too lightly.

]]> By: Dave http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-46948 Dave Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:53:21 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-46948 Spud: I'll take the $354 million. It is a lot if we don't get CP passed so don't get those revenues, don't get the PA money; essentially if we get nothing. I wish someone wold respond to the inequity that the toll credit given to the PA drivers at the HT, LT and GWB is a round-trip toll and the toll credit given to the MTA drivers is one-way. Credit the PA drivers only $4 and charge a $4 CP fee. It really makes sense. Spud: I’ll take the $354 million.

It is a lot if we don’t get CP passed so don’t get those revenues, don’t get the PA money; essentially if we get nothing.

I wish someone wold respond to the inequity that the toll credit given to the PA drivers at the HT, LT and GWB is a round-trip toll and the toll credit given to the MTA drivers is one-way.

Credit the PA drivers only $4 and charge a $4 CP fee. It really makes sense.

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-46947 Spud Spudly Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:42:02 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-46947 It's great if the PA puts in a billion, but it has no direct effect on drivers from NJ. Better that the drivers should have to pay directly if the goal is really to reduce the number of people using their cars. And Dave, I don't think too many people are jumping up and down about the chance to get $354 million. With the numbers being routinely thrown around, a one-time infustion of $354 million seems like spit in a bucket. It’s great if the PA puts in a billion, but it has no direct effect on drivers from NJ. Better that the drivers should have to pay directly if the goal is really to reduce the number of people using their cars.

And Dave, I don’t think too many people are jumping up and down about the chance to get $354 million. With the numbers being routinely thrown around, a one-time infustion of $354 million seems like spit in a bucket.

]]> By: flood the lines people! http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/comment-page-1/#comment-46946 flood the lines people! Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:41:41 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/31/pricing-bill-amendments-not-enough-for-silver/#comment-46946 DISTRICT OFFICE 250 Broadway Suite 2307 New York, NY 10007 212-312-1420 ALBANY OFFICE LOB 932 Albany, NY 12248 518-455-3791 DISTRICT OFFICE
250 Broadway
Suite 2307
New York, NY 10007
212-312-1420

ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 932
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-3791

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