Streetsblog New York City

This morning's Crain's Insider names Streetsblog one of the winners of Monday's congestion pricing vote in City Council. While we're honored, no one around here is spiking the ball or dancing in the end zone until New York's famously dysfunctional state legislature is done doing whatever it is they're going to do to the plan. Richard Brodksy is, for now, a loser who "overplayed his hand."

Crain's also names Staten Island Councilman Mike McMahon one of the losers. They suggest that his support of congestion pricing has ruined any chance he has to win the Borough presidency. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Crain's is wrong about that.

Forty-eight hours in, here is what some elected officials are saying about PlaNYC and congestion pricing.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver:

Well, I think it's a very complicated issue, but, you know, we'll need to look at it and discuss it with the mayor and discuss it with the members of the conference. The concept of charging money to come to the center of a business district is something that is new to this country, especially in a city like New York. But, again, I would like to see what the proposed benefits are, and I'd like to see what the impact on business is projected to be.

Representative Anthony Weiner:

While I applaud the mayor for focusing on a long-term sustainability plan for the city, in this case the cure seems to be worse than the disease. We must look at innovative ways to face the challenges created by the city's own success, but a regressive tax on working middle-class families and small-business owners shouldn't be one of them.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz:

While I remain open to it, any plan must ensure equality among the boroughs, include exemptions for commuters traveling for health and employment reasons, alleviate parking problems -- particularly in those Brooklyn neighborhoods closest to the tunnel and bridges -- and direct generated revenues to improvements in our public transportation system.

I applaud the mayor's proposals to improve mass transit, since better public transportation -- including an expansion of bus service in neighborhoods not served by subways -- is essential for a congestion pricing plan to potentially work. I look forward to reviewing the plan as it develops with the necessary exemptions and requirements.

I wonder if it is another hidden tax on working people. I worry about people who need to use their cars to get to work.

Read more...

Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 2:30 pm
New York City Council
250 Broadway, 14th Floor Hearing Room (across from City Hall).

FILM SCREENING & DISCUSSION
with the NYC Council's Transportation Committee
"Contested Streets: Breaking NYC Gridlock"
Thursday, July 20th, 2:30 pm

Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringerand New York City Council Members John C. Liu, Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., Daniel R. Garodnick, G. Oliver Koppell, Jessica S. Lappin, Miguel Martinez, Michael E. McMahon, Darlene Mealy, Diana Reyna, and Larry B. Seabrookinvite you to a special screening and discussion of a new documentary film, Contested Streets: Breaking NYC Gridlock.

WHEN: Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 2:30 pm (the film runs approximately 57 minutes); discussion to follow.

WHERE: New York City Council, 250 Broadway, 14th Floor Hearing Room (across from City Hall).

WHAT: "Contested Streets" shows how to create gridlock-free, livable streets, right here in New York City. The film features experts from Downtown to the Bronx, as well as London, Paris and Copenhagen who together show how to meet the transportation needs of NYC's rapidly growing population. To watch a short trailer for the film, please visit: http://www.contestedstreets.com/trailer.html.

WHY: Gridlocked streets are a concern to all New Yorkers from our business community that depends on uncongested streets to speed commerce, to moms and dads who want their children to be able to walk and bike to school without fear. This film shows ways that cities around the world are reclaiming their streets to the delight of residents and businesspeople alike.

RSVP: Seating is limited. To reserve your place, please email your name and affiliation to liu@council.nyc.ny.us (with the subject header: "NYC Council: Contested Streets").