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Manhattan congestion-pricing plan kicks the bucket

Posted at 1:06 PM on 07 Apr 2008

Hopes had run high that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's ambitious congestion-pricing plan for the Big Apple would move forward, but the measure has died a quiet death. Democratic members of the State Assembly, determining that the measure was overwhelmingly opposed, neglected to even bring it to the Assembly floor, instead shooting it down with a secret vote. The now-dead plan would have charged drivers $8 to enter midtown Manhattan during peak hours. Supporters called it an effective way to address congestion and pollution, while opponents called it elitist and unfair to lower-income commuters.

sources: The New York Times, Daily News, Associated Press
see also, in Gristmill: What we lose if Bloomberg's plan goes down

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Comments: (7 comments)

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Yeah!

WooHoo!

by morganmghee at 6:36 PM on 07 Apr 2008

Not to worry too much...

...the high gas prices will make up for it.

by Tasermons Partner at 11:00 PM on 07 Apr 2008

Don't you always love

how politicians, pundits and big wigs always have at heart the interests of the "little guy" when it comes to fighting environmental reforms. Plutocrats become populists in the twinkle of the eye at such moments.

Too bad they don't express the same concern when it comes to moving jobs to China, packing regulatory commissions with their cronies, fighting minimum wage legislation and busting unions. Nope, you won't here a word about the little guy then.

Randy Cunningham

Randy Cunningham

by randino at 6:31 AM on 08 Apr 2008

U.S. Is Number One!

Just another example of how the U.S. leads the world in immorality. Even the Brits, who are near the top in this category, have congestion pricing in London. How thoroughly disgusting!

by Wolverine at 7:15 AM on 08 Apr 2008

More lies...

"...Unfair to lower-income commuters." Who are the people most likely to already be using mass transit, so this wouldn't effect them at all. It's good to know our politicians think we are so stupid we will believe the incredibly blatant lies they spout.

by Mr Dichotomies at 2:46 PM on 08 Apr 2008

Pricing on the cake

High five to Tasermons.

Yes, isn't everyone currently being "congestion priced" already by gas. To say nothing about parking in NYC (which is already heavily taxed).

The fact is, the only people who 'drive to the city' are stock brokers living around Lambertville.

Texeme.Construct(Participant)

by jabailo at 3:05 PM on 08 Apr 2008

congestion in Albany

Brain congestion in Albany, methinks. Or how legislators avoid putting themselves on the line. Or how the suburbs rule in this country. Blame can be spread wide and thick, but I won't put it on Bloomberg. Put it on Albany, always in the rear pulling us back. And put it on the public who only wants cheap energy, cheap food, cheap goods, cheap anything. They are backed up by the media, the government, the corporations, and anyone who stands to lose if consumers stop consuming. While we blame China we go full speed ahead as if nothing were happening. Legislators follow; they don't lead. Unless and until the public understands that cheap energy is at the root of our problems, and endless mindless consumption must end, legislators won't stick their necks out and risk the wrath of automotivated voters. Since when did we think they were smarter and more conscientious than the rest of us?

by lorna salzman at 3:21 PM on 08 Apr 2008

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