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.

Only 5.8% of Staten Island's Central Business District commuters travel by car. Most of these drivers already pay a toll. Since the toll is discounted, congestion pricing wouldn't add all that much of a burden to all that many Staten Islanders. More significant, Staten Island is a big winner if congestion pricing passes. I've gotten a sneak peak at one of the new Bus Rapid Transit projects planned for the traffic-choked borough. I can't say much about it except that it is outstanding and will be the most exemplary BRT line in New York City if it goes forward as planned. It'll be a huge benefit in a borough where traffic congestion is the number one quality of life issue.

Thanks to his yes vote for congestion pricing, Mike McMahon is the guy who can say he brought this project home. Meanwhile, McMahon's likely opponent Jimmy Oddo is the guy who turned his back on the best opportunity in a generation to solve Staten Island's ever-worsening traffic problem.

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.

Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi:

People's first reaction is they don't want to pay. But getting them to switch to mass transit benefits us all.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn:

Whether you're for it or against it, it's a serious proposal and it deserves serious attention and that's what it will get from the council.

Council Member Michael E. McMahon, Staten Island:

It is surprising that such a bold vision for New York's sustainable future would not include a strategy for attacking the region's greatest source of traffic and air pollution. It is clear that truck traffic is increasing more rapidly than this City can handle, and, unchecked, the consequences could be disastrous. We urge the mayor to expand on the vision he laid-out today to adequately address truck traffic and freight movement as soon as possible.

Council Member David Weprin, Queens:

You're not talking about wealthy people, $8 a day is an enormous charge for those type of people and something that could really hurt them financially.

Council Member John Liu, Queens:

People drive to work in Manhattan for the most part because taking a local bus for a half hour to the nearest subway and then riding the subway for an hour is not a real option.

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").