Upstate Assembly Member Says City Delegation Killed Pricing
What went on behind the closed doors of the Democratic conference the day congestion pricing died in the Assembly? According to a constituent letter from Binghamton rep Donna A. Lupardo, the "overwhelming majority" of New York City members were opposed to pricing, and upstate pols followed their lead.
Thank you for your recent email concerning Congestion Pricing for NewYork City. As a committed environmentalist, I can appreciate howimportant it is to reduce congestion (and the associated greenhousegases and asthma producing fumes), etc. It is also critical that we finda way to pay for mass transit upgrades in New York City.
As you know, the congestion pricing bill did not come up for a vote ineither the State Assembly or the State Senate. Through six hours ofdebate in the Democratic conference, the overwhelming majority of mycolleagues (all from New York City and the suburbs) expressed theiropposition. Honestly, the members representing Upstate New York couldnot have possibly swayed the outcome. As we are often supported by ourNew York City colleagues (e.g. The Upstate Revitalization Fund), manyfelt obliged to defer to the opinions of those who represent New York City.
I'm sure that we have not heard the end of this matter. I will be sureto keep your thoughts in mind as we move forward.
Sincerely,Donna A. LupardoMember of Assembly
So where was Joan Millman when this was going down? Where were Micah Kellner and Richard Gottfried? Where was Sheldon "I probably would have voted for the bill" Silver? Did they speak up or stand down? Conveniently, we'll never know.
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