Weiner Says Pricing Shows “Stunning Political Naivete”

Weiner, who opposes the plan to charge cars $8 to enter Manhattan during peak hours, said the only reason the U.S. Department of Transportation wants to give New York City $350 million to start a congestion pricing pilot program is so it can eventually wiggle out of funding mass transit entirely.

"This is where it matters that you have a certain amount of political acumen," Weiner said. "The moment we have $200 million in revenue ... I'm going to be hearing from colleagues in Washington, 'You need $200 million less.'"

Weiner scoffed at "unelected boards and agencies" in New York, including a separate authority that would run the city's congestion pricing plan and parcel out the money.

"You honestly believe [Senate Majority Leader] Joe Bruno is going to pass this without getting a piece of the action for Rensselaer or wherever he's from?," Weiner said. "It shows a level of political naiveté that is stunning."