“Telling my state senator I oppose the MTA doomsday fare hikes and service cuts at www.KeepNewYorkMoving.org"

In other it-ain't-over-'til-it's-over doomsday news, as state lawmakers continue to get hammered for inaction and pressured to avert fare hikes and service cuts, the Straphangers Campaign will be handing out fliers tomorrow morning in Times Square urging rush hour commuters to contact their reps.

Wednesday was Lobby Day in Albany, and among those descending upon the capitol was a busload of New York City transit riders, organized by the Campaign for New York's Future, who support East and Harlem River bridge tolls as part of the MTA rescue plan. Before the day was out, the group of some 50 straphangers visited the offices of 35 legislators. Streetfilms' Robin Urban Smith was also on board, and files this report.

And today is the last day to register for next Wednesday's bus trip to Albany to lobby on behalf of MTA rescue, sponsored by the Campaign for New York's Future (register here). If you've ever been on one of these trips, you know how encouraging it is to find strength in numbers, even in the face of absolute lunacy.

With several State Senators saying they will refuse to pass a funding plan that includes bridge tolls, your voice is crucial to make sure our leaders know that a fair transit funding plan asks everyone who benefits from transit to contribute – including businesses and drivers – not just transit riders.

Most importantly, your presence in Albany puts a human face on the transit crisis by telling the story of one of the many constituents – YOU – who would be impacted by the whopping 23% fare hike and draconian subway and bus cuts.

The RSVP deadline is this Friday. Sign up here.

Take Hakeem Jeffries. The Brooklyn assemblyman reportedly has no position on pricing at the moment, but not so long ago he stood with Richard Brodsky in support of the Westchester pricing foe's $6.50 taxi drop charge "alternative."

In addition to system-wide and Brooklyn-specific improvements, here is just some of what residents of Jeffries' district stand to lose without pricing:

• 33 new buses on the B41 line
• Structural overcoating on the B and Q lines between Prospect Park and Sheepshead Bay
• Upgrade of the PA systems in the Bedford-Nostrand, Classon, Clinton-Washington and Fulton Street stations on the G line
• Flooding improvements for the Crosstown Line
• An 8.1% to 22.1% percent reduction in traffic jams

Check your district fact sheets to see what's on the block in your neighborhood. And if you haven't called your reps already, now is the time to pass this information on.

The evening session begins at 6:00. Members of the public who wish to testify may sign up on a first-come first-served basis, beginning at 5:30. Public testimonies are limited to two minutes each.

Needless to say, it is important that the council (and the media) hear from as many pro-pricing citizens as possible. The Campaign for New York's future suggests bringing signs or wearing pro-pricing t-shirts, whether you are able to testify or not. CFNY would like to hear from those who will be attending, if possible; contact Katie Savin at ksavin@mrss.com.

The hearings will take place in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, Second Floor.

"Congestion pricing addresses two urgent concerns of the residents of New York City and its suburbs: The need to reduce congestion on our streets and roads, and thereby reduce pollution, and the need to raise significant revenue for mass transit improvement," Paterson said.

Paterson also said that by introducing the bill, the City Council and the Legislature will be able to "examine the details" and "make an informed judgment" going forward.

It has yet to be determined if the Paterson bill differs at all from the bill that surfaced in Albany earlier this week. However, highlights of the legislation described in the governor's statement match the contents of the earlier bill. The full statement, as well as press releases from Mayor Bloomberg and pro-pricing groups, after the jump.

GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR TRAFFIC MITIGATION PLAN

Governor David A. Paterson announced today that he has submitted a Governor’s program bill, that follows the recommendations of the New York City Traffic Mitigation Commission report of January 31, 2008 to allow for the City Council and State Legislature to consider a bill that meets the requirements of the United States Department of Transportation Urban Partnership Agreement, which contributes $354 million in federal funds.

“Congestion Pricing addresses two urgent concerns of the residents of New York City and its suburbs: the need to reduce congestion on our streets and roads, and thereby reduce pollution and global warming; and the need to raise significant revenue for mass transit improvements,” Governor Paterson said. “We expect that revenue from the Congestion Pricing plan will support more than $4.5 billion in needed capital improvements for mass transit and meaningfully reduce traffic into the Central Business District of Manhattan. Before the constructive process of deliberation proceeds in both the City Council and the State Legislature, transparency requires that the public fully see what the system envisioned by the Commission will entail. While Commission Report highlighted other issues which need to be resolved, introducing this bill allows the City Council and Legislature to examine the details of the proposal and make an informed judgment on the Congestion Pricing program.”

Highlights of the bill include the following provisions recommended by the Commission:

The Congestion Pricing zone would include any roadways in Manhattan south of and inclusive of 60th Street between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for certain public holidays.

Establish the fee as recommended by the Commission, including a surcharge on taxis and livery vehicles.

Eliminate the Manhattan long-term parking tax discount for vehicles parked within the zone.

Set out privacy protocols based on existing EZ Pass privacy controls.

Provide exemptions for authorized emergency vehicles; safety, traffic and parking control, and inspection vehicles; sanitation vehicles; school vehicles; and privately operated over-the-road buses.

Prescribe a residential parking permit program.

Lay out the environmental review process for Congestion Pricing which follows the Commission’s recommendation.

The City will oversee a monitoring program for traffic, air quality, noise, parking and other environmental impacts and release annual reports; a preliminary report will be available to the public within six months of the operation date.

The funds raised by the fee will be used, after deducting for the cost of operations, to support the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) capital plan, which was released at the end of February. Priority for funding will be for areas in need underserved by transit.

Capital expenditures will be subject to approval by the MTA’s capital program review board, and a representative of the New York City Council Speaker will have the same rights and privileges of the board members appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Senate Minority Leader and the Assembly Minority Leader.

For capital expenses derived from Congestion Pricing, the MTA will follow all legally applicable prevailing wage laws.

Any increase in parking fees by the City, as recommended by the Commission, will go into a “transit enhancement fund” to be used exclusively for additional transit, pedestrian, bicycle and parking management improvements, including ferries.

The statute passed last July that established the Traffic Mitigation Commission, requires the Mayor to request the State Legislature to consider the plan where such request has been approved by the City Council by a majority vote on a resolution. It is expected that the City Council will consider such a resolution shortly.

Press release from the Mayor's office:

STATEMENT BY MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ON GOVERNOR PATERSON'S SUPPORT OF CONGESTION PRICING

"Today, Governor Paterson has demonstrated true leadership by submitting a  congestion pricing bill to the Legislature that will meet all of the objectives we've set – cutting traffic and reducing pollution to improve our economy and public health, and raising revenue to fund much needed projects included in the MTA Capital Plan.  The bill is a giant step forward, and its timely passage will ensure that New York gets $354 million in federal money that we've been promised.  Those funds will allow us to make immediate transit improvements.  We will work with the Governor and our partners in the State Legislature and the City Council to address outstanding issues - including reducing the impact on lower income drivers, and concerns about commuters who use Port Authority crossings contributing to the MTA Capital plan. Together, I'm certain we can pass a bill that will improve the lives of New Yorkers."

Statement from Michael O’Loughlin, Director of the Campaign for New York’s Future:

“At a time when New York urgently needs enlightened leaders to take courageous action on big challenges, Governor Paterson has today boldly demonstrated his dedication to a better future for New York.  By introducing legislation to enact congestion pricing for better transit, he is advancing a truly historic and visionary plan to reduce gridlock, improve the bus and subway system 7.5 million New Yorkers count on, and clean the air we all breathe.  This is an important step forward, especially for the millions of working-class New Yorkers who overwhelmingly rely on mass transit as their sole means of commute and daily travel.  With so much at stake, we are confident that our city and state leaders will join Governor Paterson in working together during the critical days ahead to resolve any remaining issues so that New York can receive $354 million federal dollars for immediate transit improvements and begin building the transit system we need to keep New York moving forward in the 21st century. Thank you, Governor Paterson.”

In related news, the Drum Major Institute released a statement today urging the City Council to pass pricing because it benefits New York's middle class. Here's an excerpt:

With the New York City Council poised to vote on congestion pricing on Monday, March 24th, the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy (“DMI”), a New York-based think tank dedicated to promoting the interests of current and aspiring middle class Americans, once again reminded the Council that “standing up for congestion pricing and standing for the interests of average, hard working New Yorkers are one and the same.”

Last year, DMI issued a report entitled “Congestion Pricing: Good Policy For New York’s Middle Class,” [PDF] which concluded congestion pricing would greatly benefit current and aspiring middle-class New Yorkers in a multitude of important ways.  After Mayor Bloomberg’s original plan was revised by the New York City Traffic Mitigation Commission, of which DMI Executive Director Andrea Batista Schlesinger was a member, Ms. Schlesinger said, “I am delighted with the results of the Commission’s work.  What started out as an excellent plan has evolved into something even better.  Literally millions of average New Yorkers will benefit significantly from the adoption of congestion pricing.  It would be a tragedy for the City and State not to pass it.”

First, the Daily Politics spoke to Bronx Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, a pricing supporter who identified three major sticking points among his colleagues:

• Taxis, which contribute considerably to traffic, getting off with just a $1 surcharge.
• No provisions for the elderly or sick people who are traveling into the congestion zone to go to medical appointments.
• The fact that commuters from New Jersey won't be affected because they're already paying $8 in PANY/NJ tolls.

The New Jersey issue, which prompted 20 City Council members to sign a letter of objection, may be on its way to being hashed out, according to a story in the Sun this morning:

Mr. Bloomberg has said he will address the issue and is expected to propose a possible fix soon.

The Sun also reports on the favors Council members are seeking in return for their vote:

"I know what my issues are -- northern Manhattan," Council Member Robert Jackson of Harlem, who said he is undecided about the mayor's plan, said yesterday. Mr. Jackson said his wish list includes more express bus routes and support for building a cross-harbor rail tunnel that would reduce truck traffic in the neighborhood.

He added that he is in talks with the mayor's office on local concerns and is leaning toward voting in favor of congestion pricing.

Want to urge Jackson and the rest of City Council to get behind pricing? There's a public hearing at City Hall on Monday. Details after the jump.

The Campaign for New York's Future sent an email to supporters yesterday to organize pro-pricing turnout. Here's the deal from CNYF:

WHAT: City Council is holding its last hearing on congestion pricing in order to gauge community support for the plan before it goes to a vote. This is likely your last opportunity to make your voice heard on this issue!

WHEN: Monday, March 24th at 9:30 a.m. and at 5:30 p.m. – READ ON FOR THE FULL DAY’S SCHEDULE

9:30 session: The morning hearing will hear testimonies from pre-invited panelists only but is open to the public.  We encourage you to attend and show your support for pro-pricing testimonies as well as sign up to testify at the evening hearing.

5:30 session: The evening hearing is open to the public -- anyone can testify. The sign-up for the evening hearing opens at 5:30. Testimonies are limited to 2 minutes each. The line up will be determined on a first come, first served basis.

To sum up: come all day if you can make it; if you can only come at one time make it at 5:30pm.

WHERE: 2nd Floor, Council Chambers - City Hall. City Hall is located in City Hall Park. You can enter the plaza from either the west side of the park at Broadway and Murray Street or the east side at Park Row.

Please let us know if you are coming or if you have questions: contact Katie at ksavin@mrss.com.

Bring congestion pricing related signs and t-shirts to show your support even when you are not testifying!  The CNYF will bring extras in case you need them.

Streetsblog's Brad Aaron files this report from Albany.

A contingent of about 80 New Yorkers is in Albany today to advocate for congestion pricing. Following a brief rally on the capitol steps this morning, led by the Campaign for New York's Future, the crowd broke off into small groups for a day of sit-downs with individual lawmakers.

I shadowed a group assigned to Senator Frank Padavan of Queens, who is against pricing, though he represents a district where just six percent of the population commutes by car to Manhattan's central business district. An amiably cantankerous fellow, Padavan started the meeting with a question: "Did the mayor send you up here?" The senator then went on for a bit about Bloomberg's helicopter and private jet before getting down to business.

"We've gotten tons of info," Padavan said. "We have reviewed it all, and I don't really have any questions."

Padavan said Residential Parking Permits would help his car-owning constituents avoid park-and-ride problems, and allowed that new express buses would be a welcome addition to his district. But he also said that, according to the MTA, there is no way to add subway capacity from 179th Street in Jamaica.

Then, when the senator was presented with specific plans for transit improvements in Queens, things got off track.

"When are we going to do something about the taxicabs and the limousines?" Padavan asked, apropos of nothing. "There's nothing in the plan that addresses that."

Padavan proceeded to rail against limos double-parking as they wait for affluent Manhattanites. (He was unaware of the proposed $1 surcharge for yellow cab rides.) He then suggested a fleet of jitneys along the avenues, which would be financially self-sustaining. ("What does he think buses are?" wondered one advocate after the meeting.)

Padavan pointed out how many City Council members from Queens and Brooklyn are against pricing, concluding, "You ought to be down there talking to them."

A cyclist in the group spoke eloquently of the vision needed from Albany to move the plan through, to make New York a city of livable streets. "We'd love you to provide leadership," one advocate said.

Padavan responded that City Council members don't listen to him. In fact, he said, one of them is running against him.

Taking the stump for pricing were Kathryn Wylde of the Partnership for NYC and Michael O'Loughlin of the Campaign for New York's Future. Arguing against were Congressman Anthony Weiner of Queens and Walter McCaffrey of the Coalition to Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free. The standing-room-only crowd of more than 120 people -- most of whom came from the Upper East Side and East Harlem, judging by the post-debate Q & A -- appeared to favor Weiner and McCaffrey by a noticeable, though not overwhelming, margin. Wylde and O'Loughlin scored their share of applause, but Weiner was the only speaker to draw vocal cheers.

Claiming that "we are buying a pig in a poke," Weiner made several arguments familiar to Streetsblog readers, adding a few rhetorical flourishes worth noting. Among his main points:

• The current plan is "not fair" because suburban drivers from LI and NJ won't pay any fee in addition to the existing tolls on the Hudson River crossings and the Queens-Midtown Tunnel.
• Commercial truck traffic in Midtown is increasing faster than car traffic, so a priority should be placed on mitigating truck congestion.
• The number of people who switch to mass transit because of congestion pricing will impose costs on the transit system that significantly outweigh the revenue pricing will generate.
• Republicans support congestion pricing because it "bolsters the idea that municipalities should pay for their own transportation enhancements," as opposed to the idea that transit improvements should be paid for from a federal pot of gas tax revenue.

Weiner built up this last point quite dramatically, painting congestion pricing as a wedge issue that has played into the hands of "Texas conservatives" by dividing people who share a concern for the environment. "There's a reason that George Bush likes this plan," he said, insisting that "there are smarter and more progressive ways to do this."

Weiner then outlined his own three-point plan in broad strokes, saying he would 1) charge trucks to enter Midtown during peak hours, 2) offer businesses tax incentives to remain open for late-night truck deliveries, and 3) charge private motorists, but only those from outside the five boroughs.

Wylde attacked Weiner's emphasis on trucks, pointing out that only eight percent of the vehicles in the zone below 60th Street are trucks, while 40 percent are private, single-occupancy cars. She also argued that the mayor's plan would not pit people who live in the congestion zone against people from the outer boroughs, because "Manhattan is the magnet that creates excess traffic throughout the region, and reducing traffic below 60th Street will reduce traffic throughout the region." Her repeated references to 60th Street as the northern boundary of the congestion zone may signal that the TCMC will ultimately propose shifting the boundary south from 86th Street.

Also, in response to an East Harlem resident who expressed concern that her asthma-stricken neighborhood would become even more overwhelmed by vertical parking lots, Wylde hinted that the TCMC proposals would pay "very serious attention" to the issue of parking in peripheral districts.

O'Loughlin, in his rebuttal to Weiner, argued that New York can't rely on Congress -- especially representatives from Texas -- to raise the gas tax and set aside sufficient cash to fund the city's transit system. "Just because the Bush administration is willing to give us $354 million doesn't make this a bad idea," he said. He cited support from the Drum Major Institute and the Central Labor Council as evidence of pricing's progressive bona fides, pointing out that it will be "especially good for low-income New Yorkers, who are more likely to rely on transit."

NEW YORK, September 25, 2007 - The following may be attributed to Michael O'Loughlin, Director of the Campaign for New York's Future:

"Today's first meeting of the New York City Traffic Mitigation Commission is a welcome and essential step in our collective efforts to substantially reduce traffic congestion, clean our air and improve our mass transit system.

"The need for a plan to reduce gridlock, increase mass transit options and clean our air has never been clearer or more timely. Since the members of the commission were named, two more independent reports have been released, which once again demonstrate the enormous public health and economic rationale for quick and decisive action. A study published in September in the New England Journal of Medicine found that even limited exposure to traffic-related pollution by people with heart disease during exercise can trigger a heart attack and even death [There was this editorial too]. A separate study, also in September by the Texas Transportation Institute, found that traffic congestion in New York City continues to worsen and cost drivers 384 million hours sitting in traffic in 2005 (PDF).

"Members of the Campaign for New York's Future, which includes leaders in the environmental, transportation, public health, civic, labor, business and environmental justice communities, stand ready to work with the Commission and to support the process of refining the most effective and equitable congestion reduction plan."

Mayor Bloomberg and the Campaign for New York's Future never really seemed to get that the congestion pricing debate was fundamentally going to be a fight about class, and the widening divide between rich and poor in New York City.

While the Mayor and the Campaign built their communications strategy around little girls with asthma and $500 million in federal funding for transit, opponents hammered away on class issues, arguing that congestion pricing is a "regressive tax," harmful to small business, the middle class and the aspiring middle class. Perhaps a Mayor Weiner or Carrion wouldn't have been as vulnerable to these clearly bogus class arguments. But the billionaire Republican mayor was.

The Mayor and the Campaign should have acknowledged up front that an $8 fee isn't going to prevent Donald Trump from driving in to Midtown if that's what he wants to do. But if CEO's and hedge fund managers are going to drive anyway, let's make them pay every time they decide to do so. And let's take their money and plow it into mass transit for the rest of us, the 95% of weekday commuters who don't use a car to get to work in Manhattan. Congestion pricing is transportation policy that Robin Hood would approve of.

It's probably too late for Bloomberg, but perhaps there are some lessons here for a Mayor Weiner or Carrion. The failure to address the class issue head-on allowed a congestion pricing opponent like Westchester Assembly Member Richard Brodsky to present himself as the defender of the little guy. Frankly, nothing could be further from the truth. Brodsky did no favors to New York City's poor and middle class. He did, however, do a fantastic job of representing the interests of his relatively wealthy, suburban, car-commuting district.

Take a look at the income data from these three State Assembly districts. It's pretty clear who represents the interests of poor and middle class New York City residents and who does not:

19.6% of residents earn less than $35,000/year
26.6% of residents earn $35,000 to $75,000/year
53.3% of residents earn more than $75,000/year

Jose Rivera, congestion pricing supporter
D-Bronx
Assembly District 78

64.5% of residents earn less than $35,000/year
27.0% of residents earn $35,000 to $75,000/year
8.4% of residents earn more than $75,000/year

Adriano Espaillat, congestion pricing supporter
D-Manhattan
Assembly District 72

63.1% of residents earn less than $35,000/year
28.1% of residents earn $35,000 to $75,000/year
8.7% of residents earn more than $75,000/year

Numbers are based on 2000 census data assembled in 2002 by the New York State Legislative Taskforce on Demographic Research and Reapportionment.

While Brennan supports congestion pricing himself, he is concerned that advocates have "over-sold the benefits to transit." The $380 million per year that would be raised by congestion pricing is "a drop in the bucket compared to the enormity of the fiscal crisis" that awaits the MTA."

Other congestion pricing updates:

• Sewell Chan has a minute-by-minute account of the morning's meetings in Albany (City Room) 
• Senate Dems not on board for congestion pricing (Daily Politics) 
• Bloomberg has nothing but good things to say about the State Senate (Politicker)
  

• Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion
• Assembly member Michael Benedetto
• Assembly member Adam Clayton Powell IV
• Bronx Democratic Chair and Assembly member Jose Rivera.
• Council member James Vacca.
• Council member Annabel Palma.

An updated list from The Daily Politics:

• Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat
• Assemblyman Peter Rivera
• Assemblyman Carl Heastie
• Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera

Here's a piece of the press release from the Campaign for New York's Future:

"Environmental Defense applauds Bronx Borough President Carrion, Assembly Members Benedetto, Powell and Rivera, and Council Members Palma and Vacca for supporting congestion pricing, clean energy and the goals of PlaNYC at this critical time," said Andy Darrell, director of the Living Cities program at Environmental Defense. "Vehicle emissions contribute more than 86% of the total cancer risk from toxic air pollution in the Bronx, and the air cancer risk from diesel is 1000 times higher than the EPA standards. Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion's support helps move the Bronx -- and the city as a whole -- toward a future with less traffic pollution, better transit and lower energy bills. It's time for legislative leaders in Albany to take the step that Adolfo Carrion and his colleagues have taken today."

This Streetfilm, produced for The Campaign for New York's Future, speaks for itself. But it's worth noting its emphasis on (1) the fact that congestion pricing, while new to the United States, is a success in other parts of the world (and not only London); and (2) that traffic is choking the city, figuratively and literally.

The Campaign for New York's Future has released a new poll, a glossy mailer that'll go out to 380,000 families, and a television advertisement focusing on the health benefits of Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC 2030. The Daily Politics has a nice write-up:

With time running out up in Albany and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver saying he has no intention of moving on congestion pricing, the Campaign for New York's Future, a pro-congestion pricing coalition, has unleashed a new TV ad and a poll that indicates support for the proposal increases dramatically once people are explained the "benefits" of the mayor's plan -- as he sees them.

The ad features Keisha Lee, a Queens mother who lives near the 59th Street bridge and whose children all have asthma. Here's some of the script:

We live by the 59th Street Bridge. It's a nice area, but I think there's a lot of congestion. All my children have asthma. Basically, it's like, you know, someone sitting on your chest, and it's hard to breathe, and you're just, you're like gasping for breath. I think living under the 59h Street Bridge has contributed to my children's asthma. The air is very bad with all the congestion. With all the traffic going into Manhattan. It is hurting my children. I think we deserve a chance like everybody else, who want to have clean air nice playground for our children to play in.

A delegation of approximately 30 members of the Campaign for New York's Future are traveling to Albany today to meet with more than two dozen state legislators and other public officials. Today's trip follows a series of meetings on Monday in which key coalition leaders joined Mayor Bloomberg to call for urgent State action on the Mayor's key PlaNYC initiatives. Today's press release (care of Howard Rubenstein) lays out some of Bloomberg's key legislative goals up in Albany:

The Campaign for New York's Future is advocating urgent action, prior to June's close of the current legislative session, on key PlaNYC initiative requiring amendments to State law. These actions comprise four main categories:

Transportation - Among other actions, the coalition is advocating creation of a new Sustainable, Mobility and Regional Transportation (SMART) Finance Authority; authorization to use cameras on buses to enforce Bus Rapid Transit lanes; and authorization of residential parking districts within New York City.

Energy - Key proposed actions include authorization to create a New York City Energy Planning Board with representatives appointed by the Governor, the Mayor and utility companies; creation of a New York City Energy Efficiency Authority; authorization for the New York Power Authority to issue long-term power contracts; amendment to the City Charter requiring that the City dedicate 10 percent of the City's energy bill to be used on energy conservation projects; and tax abatements for the installation of solar panels.

Brownfields - The Campaign for New York's Future is calling on Albany to amend the State Brownfield Cleanup Program to reallocate tax credits, incentivize greater community participation, and expand eligibility to cover New York City specific contamination; and to authorize creation of a voluntary Brownfield cleanup program targeting 600 acres of brownfields in the City not currently eligible for the State program.

Air and Water Quality - The coalition is calling on Albany to amend Tax Law to provide for a local sales tax exemption on all hybrid vehicles purchased within New York City; and amend the Real Property Tax Law to provide property tax abatements on the installation of green roofs to reduce stormwater runoff.

In addition to launching a new website, two leading members of the Campaign, Environmental Defense and the Partnership for New York City, released a 30-second advertisement this week to correspond with the Mayor's trip to Albany. The ad highlights Bloomberg's call to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent, create cleaner power plants, improve mass transit and reduce traffic pollution, "Together we can save the environment. But the clock...is ticking."

The ad is currently on the air in Albany and New York City, and, of course, it's on YouTube.

Leading members of the Campaign for New York's Future, a broad coalition of 80 environmental, public health, civic, labor, community and business organizations, will today join Mayor Bloomberg in separate meetings with Governor Eliot Spitzer and State legislators to help call attention to the urgent need for action on the Mayor's PlaNYC initiative during the current legislative session.

The Campaign for New York's Future, which was formed in response to Mayor Bloomberg's visionary PlaNYC initiative, has grown to become an unprecedented coalition of organizations, from corporate to environmental justice advocates, and from century-old citywide institutions to recently-formed neighborhood grassroots groups. On Monday, the Campaign will stand with the Mayor in voicing its full support of his efforts to provide New Yorkers with the greenest, healthiest and most livable city in the United States.

The following comments come from leaders of the Campaign for New York's Future:

Gene Russianoff, Straphangers Campaign:

The Straphangers Campaign strongly supports the bold vision of Mayor Bloomberg's plans to tackle New York's environmental woes. We are especially excited about his proposals to provide billions of dollars to fund fixing and expanding the metropolitan-area's transit network. The first to benefit would rightly be those in neighborhoods that now have limited options, like Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, where I grew up.

Peggy Shepard, WE ACT:

The Mayor has demonstrated that he understands the depth of the challenge and has created a plan that resonates throughout our neighborhoods. It is important for all of us to stand with him in demanding improved air quality, reduced asthma prevalence, more access to open space and clean, reliable energy.

Andy Darrell, the Living Cities program at Environmental Defense:

Now is the time for New York City and State to unite in the fight against global warming. The proposed plan would deliver clean air, energy efficiency and technology innovation for millions of New Yorkers. It provides a model for how all of New York State's cities can lead the world in creating a healthy, low-carbon future. It deserves support now.

Richard Schrader, National Resources Defense Council:

More energy efficient homes and workspaces, along with highly efficient, cleaner power plants, and more fuel efficient cars are critical to meeting our growing energy needs, lowering energy bills, and reducing global warming pollution. We cannot start soon enough on implementing the Mayor's PlaNYC initiatives.