Albany Reform

Michael O'Loughlin of the Campaign for New York's Future leads the congestion pricing rally on the capitol steps.

"Today is Monday. There is work to be done."

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."

With all eyes on the governor's Fifth Avenue apartment, congestion pricing supporters are nevertheless soldiering on. The Empire State Transportation Alliance is one of several groups in Albany today, trying to get lawmakers' attention despite what has been described as a "surreal" atmosphere. [Insert "Yeah, and?" joke here.]

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:

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver will hold a hearing Thursday on how congestion pricing revenues would figure into the MTA's five-year capital plan. He will be joined by anti-pricing Assembly Members Richard Brodsky and Denny Farrell.

Just two of the 17 members of the Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission, Assemblymen Richard Brodsky and Herman "Denny" Farrell, voted against the revised congestion pricing plan that now awaits approval by the City Council and state legislators, all of which must happen by March 31 if the city is to receive $354 million in federal funds for upfront citywide transit improvements.

Today's the day.

Transportation Alternatives Queens Committee Chair Mike Heffron sends along this report from last night's traffic commission hearing at York College in Jamaica, Queens.