Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Congestion Pricing

Bloomberg Pitches Pricing to Brooklyn Assembly Members

From The Daily Politics:

Mayor Bloomberg hosted members of the Brooklyn Assembly delegation at Gracie Mansion this morning as part of his ongoing lobbying effort on congestion pricing, which the Legislature must sign off on by the end of next month in order to land the full $354 million pledged by the US DOT.

About a dozen lawmakers showed up to hear the mayor make his pitch, sources said, and they were generally open-minded and respectful.

But Bloomberg has his work cut out for him in convincing the outer borough electeds - both in the Council, which must pass the plan first, and the Assembly Democratic conference, where there are a number of outspoken congestion pricing critics, not the least of which is Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, who proposed an alternative pollution-reduction plan yesterday.

Brooklyn Assemblyman Darryl Towns, who was unable to attend this morning's event due to a scheduling conflict, said he thinks it's "great" that the mayor reached out to the delegation, and insisted he's willing to "keep an open mind" on congestion pricing.

But Towns still has a number of concerns about the plan, not the least of which is that his district, which is the terminus for a number of major highways, including the Jackie Robinson, will end up as the parking lot for commuters who don't want to pay congestion fees and opt to take the train into Manhattan.

"I would feel more comfortable if I understood how the (MTA) capital plan would offer relief to my constituents," Towns said. "I think some of us are trying to be statemen about this and at least listen to what the mayor is saying."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

DOT Boss Defends Adams’s ‘Vision Zero’ Record As Agency Fights A Bike Lane in Court

Traffic fatalities are down and the DOT is taking a victory lap — even as it argues against a protected bike lane in court.

July 2, 2025

Cyclist Arrested After Crash with Electric ‘One-wheel’-Style Unicycle

Carolyn Backus is charged with fleeing the scene of a crash causing serious injury, but the details are murky.

Wednesday’s Headlines: Return of Summer Streets Edition

Summer Streets is back and bigger than ever. Plus more news.

July 2, 2025

How Will Mamdani Govern? His Earlier MTA Advocacy Gives Some Hints

Mamdani spent his initial years as a state assemblyman cultivating relationships in and around the MTA while crafting his vision for "fast and free buses."

July 2, 2025

Brooklyn Judge Once Again Declines to Rip Up Bedford Ave. Protected Bike Lane… For Now

Well-connected lawyer Frank Seddio argued against the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane in court on Tuesday.

Money for Something: Funding OK’d, But Details Missing For ‘Dept. Of Sustainable Delivery’

The mayor got the Council to sign off on $6.1 million for the long-awaited “Department of Sustainable Delivery." But what's it mean? No one is talking.

July 1, 2025
See all posts