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
SEE IT: Cops Nearly Kill Teen on Moped on Brooklyn Greenway
The NYPD has a history of officers recklessly using their vehicles in chases. On Wednesday, its officers almost killed a moped rider.
Bus Advocates Target Anti-Busway ‘Hypocrites’ at Bronx Zoo and Botanical Garden
A petition drive by Bronx bus riders calls out the institutions for boosting transit on their websites, but then trying to undermine it in the real world.
‘Duped’: A Harlem 20-Something Blows the Whistle on an Illegal Temporary License Plate Business
Kareem found out the hard way that his Craigslist gig delivering temp tags was illegal. Now he's exposing the operation that employed him, revealing clues about his anonymous bosses that all trace back to the same place.
Day 3: These Hunger Strikers aren’t Paid Lobbyists — But Albany Can’t Tell the Difference
ALBANY — “They are putting every barrier in our way to not have to face us directly and look us in the eye and then make an unconscionable decision. This is Albany at its worst,” said Amy Cohen.
