Comments on: Today’s Headlines

By: Dave H.

Dave H. — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:00:13 +0000

Not really on topic, but has anyone seen this: http://www.bicyclecity.com/

“Bicycle City is a planned, urban design community where people live, work and play. Its eco-friendly, car-free design is healthy, sustainable and animal-friendly.”

A) is this serious? B) Is this just green-washed sprawl (better, no doubt, than non-greenwashed sprawl)?

By: Doc Barnett

Doc Barnett — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:45:15 +0000

I talked to Keith Wright’s office, 70th assembly district, around noon on the deadline day. According to the staffer he was also undecided, believed that there were “some good and some bad things” about the legislation. Bzzt.

By: Competitive primaries

Competitive primaries — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:26:46 +0000

Does anyone know anyone good election lawyers that might be able to help insurgent candidates go up against some of these people?

By: Dave H.

Dave H. — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:00:41 +0000

A nice graphic on why comment 4 matters (at least for the credibility of the study): http://www.energy.ca.gov/gasoline/whats_in_barrel_oil.html

By: Angus Grieve-Smith

Angus Grieve-Smith — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:49:54 +0000

Farrell was a major disappointment: he never claimed to be outright opposed to congestion pricing, but he reiterated “concerns” over and over again without showing any sign of listening when people attempted to address those concerns – despite being a member of the Commission and having access to as much information and as many officials as he wanted.

I’m personally disappointed by Cathy Nolan and Marge Markey, the assemblywomen for my area, who I both talked to about the issues and who both demonstrated that they clearly understood the benefits of reducing car use and funding transit, but who both contributed to the end of this congestion pricing program by raising endless concerns (in Cathy’s case) and by waiting until the last minute to declare opposition (in Marge’s case). They also voted for the state budget that cut $50 from the MTA and gave it to the highway fund.

I can’t interpret this in any way other than that they care more about the 5.5% of people who drive to the CBD than the 60% who commute by transit.

By: Dave H.

Dave H. — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:28:23 +0000

CalPIRG study: Are they talking about gallons of (crude) oil or gallons of gasoline? It seems to switch back and forth:

“the study found that the regional bus system cut the annual use of oil by 56million gallons.

Local bus systems are also making positive contributions, according to the report. For instance, the Torrance Transit System in 2006 cut annual oil use by 235,676 gallons, while Gardena Transit saved 250,706 gallons of fuel that otherwise would have been burned in car trips.”

By: Glenn

Glenn — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:26:27 +0000

Thanks. Good to know. I’d like Garodnick to be Speaker

By: Brad Aaron

Brad Aaron — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:16:00 +0000

Add Denny Farrell (Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood) to that list.

After 35+ years in Albany he is considering retirement — but plans to run for Robert Jackson’s City Council seat.

Word is he wants to be speaker.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:04:24 +0000

Now everyone write to your state legislators that the lack of democratic process is appalling in Albany.

Do we have a list of people that let us down on Congestion Pricing for the city?

In Manhattan we have 4 Assembly Dems that clearly let us down:

Daniel O’Donnell (Upper West Side and Morningside Heights)
Jonathan Bing (Upper East Side and Midtown)
Deborah Glick (West Village, Tribeca)
Richard Gottfried (Midtown West, Chelsea, Union Sq area)

All were either opposed or undecided until the last minute (running out the clock).

As far as I know all the Senate Dems in Manhattan would have voted yes.