Charting a Course for Pricing Through City Council

Crain’s Insider has the most detailed look yet at the odds that the City Council will pass a congestion pricing bill [PDF]. The good news is that pricing stands a decent chance of getting through committee, thanks in part to some maneuvering by Speaker Christine Quinn. As things progress, expect to hear more about uncommitted council members like Larry Seabrook (right), who may cast the deciding vote in committee. Via The Politicker, here’s the scoop from Crain’s:

Congestion pricing’s first test in the
City Council will be a vote this month by
the State and Federal Legislation Committee,
chaired by Maria Baez, D-Bronx.
Speaker Christine Quinn, a pricing supporter,
gave the measure a boost by assigning
it to Baez’s panel instead of the
Finance Committee, chaired by pricing
opponent David Weprin, who had requested
it. Quinn added two members to
Baez’s committee last fall, improving the
plan’s chances for passage.
But committee member Lew Fidler,
D-Brooklyn, says the nine-member panel
is split. He pegs the uncommitted Larry
Seabrook, D-Bronx, as a potential swing
vote.

Seabrook is one of 20 council members to sign the letter requesting “fairer” fees be assessed on New Jersey drivers as part of any congestion pricing plan. He is also one of eight council members to officially endorse PlaNYC last June.

Crain’s also notes that Fidler predicts a close vote in the council as a whole, while John Liu believes pricing will pass after some tinkering to make it easier for Albany to swallow.