Rich Kassel's Blog
Gov. Paterson supports congestion pricing!
March 21, 2008
Posted by Rich Kassel in Curbing Pollution , Environmental Justice , Health and the Environment , Living Sustainably , Moving Beyond Oil , Solving Global Warming , The Media and the Environment , U.S. Law and Policy
Awesome news!
Governor David A. Paterson just announced that he’s presenting a program bill to the New York State Legislature to implement congestion pricing in the City.
Here’s what Governor Paterson said: “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.”
Here’s NRDC’s statement on this critical news: “Having Governor Paterson’s support is a huge step forward. There’s clearly a shift in momentum happening as more and more people realize that this debate is fundamentally about providing more elbow room, better service and new travel options for people trying to get to school and work every day.”
This is, as we’re telling reporters, huge.
And, it’s further evidence of a shift that I’m feeling everywhere.
In my meetings in Albany and the City this week, I sensed it everywhere: most of the discussions were fundamentally about how to fund the transit system, and how best to make congestion pricing work well.
Not whether to have congestion pricing or whether to fund the MTA capital plan.
How to make it work best.
Sure, plenty of legislators are on the fence, and some oppose it.
And, given the way politics works, many fence-sitters will stay there until the last minute when all of the final details are set. That’s just how the system works.
But there’s a shift happening. I can feel it.
And Governor Paterson’s support is a huge boost, just huge.
Want more? Check out Elizabeth Benjamin’s must-read political blog over at the New York Daily News, The Daily Politics, or the latest article at Crain's for more on the story.
And, want to take action? Check out our coalition's website, which gives you an easy way to click and send a message to the key legislators in the City and in Albany.
Happy Spring, and have a great weekend.
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- Rich Kassel
- Senior Attorney and Director, Clean Fuels and Vehicles Project
- New York City
- I came to NRDC in 1991 on a three-year grant, and never left. Over the...
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Comments
rob wong — Mar 22 2008 04:55 PM
I think Rich Kassel is going looney. First they increased transit fare, the bridges, and the tunnels. And now they want to impose this new tax. Those of whom that doesn't drive a car will still pay for it.
The delivery trucks that comes in will pass the new imposed tax to their customers and everything you'd buy will cost you more.
Bank on it. The main problem with the traffic is the limos and taxis, not the regular people that drives to work.
This whole thing about smog and traffic by the ordinary folks that drives to work is smokescreen. Mayor Bloomberg is a master of deception when he's trying to sell you something. This time he's sold another one...to you suckers out there who bought his ideas. Even a 3 yr old can tell this deal stinks from the get-go. Simply amazing to see people like Mr Kassel, who is educated, to even agreed with this tax-crazy Mayor of NYC. Simply Bonkers.
David Li — Mar 24 2008 12:55 PM
If congestion and pollution is the real problem, the city should real think about carpooling. Mandate and enforce carpooling of 2 occupants or more per car with a minimal charge of $1 or $2, would not only reduce the amount of traffic/pollution but will also generate dollars for the city and the outer boroughs.
Delivery trucks should only be allow in the city after 10AM with a minimal charge, as to not fight with the rush hour traffic.
Taxi cabs should only be allow to pick up passengers from designated taxi stands through out the city. Stopping them from roaming, weaving and cutting through traffic trying to pick-up a fare.
What we need from this city government is progressive thinking and better ideas than just charge drivers a fee.
anon ymous — Mar 24 2008 03:31 PM
Just because the money is going to mass transit, doesn't mean they know how to use it. Fares for mass transit has been going up but service, except for the 4,5,6 lines, have been declining. Just look at the mold growing at the top of the poles on the 7 line. Cost of living is also gonna go up as well. Look at the price of milk. Most of the cost for milk comes from its transportation, such as gas, not from the shortage on cows. The congestion pricing for deliveries will just be passed down to consumers which will affect EVERYBODY.
Tom — Mar 24 2008 05:26 PM
You want to clear the air? Get the 12,000 taxi cabs in this city off the street! That will make the streets safer and REAL New Yorkers will then have to take the subway.
This blog is nothing but propaganda, and by the comments, we can see no one is being fooled.
Kate — Mar 25 2008 01:45 PM
Great news, Rich! Congestion pricing is absolutely vital to fund our regional transit system and improve our quality of life. Governor Patterson is smart for supporting it-- I can only the hope the rest of the politicians in Albany ultimately take the same stance.
Catherine Nicole — Mar 25 2008 04:53 PM
Rich - I couldn't agree more.
The problem with the traffic is the traffic. We need less of it in every sense, and Congestion Pricing is going to get us part of the way there. Less traffic means more frequent and timely deliveries - lowering the cost of doing business; less traffic means less time idling - less soot getting into our children's lungs; less traffic means your once in a blue moon car ride - since you naysayers are "real new yorkers" - will cost you less.
Transit advocates have supported some of the so-called "alternatives," but you MUST look at the time line. CP is here. Now. Cross-harbor freight tunnel - 5-25 years, taxi stands? sure, NYC is going to rework all of it's most heavily trafficked corridors because you say so, without reducing the amount of traffic they have to contend with first. That's bonkers if you ask me.
There is a time and place for so many of the strategies that have been posited, and ONLY come out because this plan is on the table. We need CP first, then lets talk long term.
Paul Reese — Mar 31 2008 10:27 AM
After receiving an anonymous message on my answering machine attacking congesting pricing legislation I called my council person, Inez Dickens, to express my support for the program. I was upset to learn that she has not yet committed to the legislation. I urge everyone in her district to contact her.