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New York's new governor supports congestion pricing

Posted at 2:40 PM on 24 Mar 2008

Brand-spankin'-new New York Gov. David Paterson has announced his support for a controversial congestion pricing plan. The proposal, put forward by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and supported by former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, would charge $8 to drivers entering Manhattan during peak hours. Said Paterson in a written statement, "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." Hear, hear.

source: Newsday
see also, in Gristmill: A quick history of N.Y.'s incoming governor David Paterson and his environmental record

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Comments: (4 comments)

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Yes,

Let's make it easier for people with plenty of money (because lets face it if you have money to pay to go faster, you have plenty of money), and corporations with the rest of the money, to get around and leave the people who are struggling or who disagree with the program on principal stuck in traffic. Really?

by morganmghee at 9:51 AM on 25 Mar 2008

RE: Yes,

Or we can just do nothing to try to curtail emissions because it isolates certain people. It's time to rethink our priorities in this country and realize that states need to take the lead in emissions reduction, since the feds are not making any real progress (at least right now). Hopefully New York follows through with this and other states see it's benefits.

by upnorthbirder at 10:26 AM on 25 Mar 2008

Concerns

The Earth and every form of life on it, except for a small number of humans (only 8% of all humans own cars) couldn't care less WHICH people are driving. The only ecological and environmental issues are how much oil is being consumed, how much of the Earth is being destroyed by paving for roads, and how much air pollution is being emitted.

While creating a program that affects all people equally is preferable, any reductions in driving are good for the Earth and should be supported.

by Wolverine at 12:25 PM on 25 Mar 2008

We ARE doing something

The current plan allows for FREE travel in a special lane with 2 or more people in the vehicle. Meaning carpooling, meaning less cars, less gas less carbon. The proposed plan allows rich people to drive alone in these lanes for cash. I fail to see how this plan does ANYTHING to curtail emissions? When I drive by the carpool lots near me, they are FULL. The carpool lanes where I live are converted shoulders in poor condition. If money needs to be spent it should be on expanding the carpool lot network and improving/adding to the lane network. This applies to the other comment as well.

by morganmghee at 4:38 PM on 03 Apr 2008
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