Paterson: “We’re Taking a Look” at Pricing
David Paterson held his first press conference as governor-in-waiting this afternoon, holding forth to a Red Room described by Elizabeth Benjamin of the Daily News as "more crowded than I have ever seen it in the almost 10 years I've been covering Albany."
Self-deprecating and genuinely funny, Paterson fielded questions on the budget, campaign finance reform, and the fate of Eliot Spitzer, among other issues. When asked about congestion pricing, he offered only this:
"On congestion pricing, we're taking a look at it."
There are conflicting views about whether Paterson's ascension will help or hurt. Bypassing the haters who have practically made a vocation of declaring the plan dead, the Staten Island Advance talked to local lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, each of them offering what sounded like well-reasoned -- if not always optimistic -- prognoses.
City Councilman Michael McMahon (D) told the Advance:
"Without knowing, I can't imagine that new Gov. Paterson would be able or willing to put that much behind it in the next two weeks. He's got to figure out his staff and everything else."
And here's Republican Councilman James Oddo:
"It almost takes a crisis for (Albany) to act at all," "This is actually an opportunity to get people around the table . . . and actually get a few things accomplished, maybe perhaps one of which is congestion pricing."
Note that both McMahon and Oddo are opposed to pricing, at least in its current form.
Though it names no sources, New York Magazine's Daily Intelligencer believes having a new governor at the helm could provide a boost.
Paterson should be so eager for a positive political climate that he'll be inclined to bring together what one veteran lobbyist calls the "Big Ugly" -- a massive deal in which lawmakers get raises, Bloomberg gets congestion pricing, and the governor gets something or another -- without making the tough campaign-finance-reform demands that Spitzer had wanted.
What do you think?
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog New York City
We Have the ‘End of Days’ Flooding Pics You Need Right Now
It's bad out there. How bad? Here is a citywide roundup from our staff ... and our friends on social media.
Friday’s Headlines: Crystal Hudson’s Idea of Leadership Edition
Today's headlines are long, but worth it!
Labor Gains: Judge Tosses App Giants’ Suit to Stop Deliverista Minimum Wage
Justice Nicholas Moyne cleared the way for a long-delayed wage hike for workers who brave dangerous roads to bring food directly to New Yorkers.
Fed Up Bronxites Tell Mayor To Forget About Bus Ride Invitation After Fordham Road ‘Betrayal’
"I really would think that our mayor would be a little bit more active and speak with us, because he hasn't really made any time with riders. We're not the enemy. We just want better bus service."
City Pays $150K to Settle Suit Over Cops Who Harassed Man Who Reported Police Parking Misconduct
Justin Sherwood and his lawyer will pocket $152,000 to settle his federal civil rights suit against the city and several officers who harassed him following his 311 calls.
