A NY Times survey shows City Council members, if they were to vote today, oppose the congestion pricing plan 2-1. Which means it's not just Albany legislators that Mayor Bloomberg has to politick to get his congestion pricing plan passed.
Congestion pricing has been a centerpiece of Bloomberg's PlaNYC initiative, a program to ensure the city's sustainability in the year 2030. A lot of transit-related planning hinges upon the millions expected from congestion pricing; earlier this week, MTA CEO Elliot Sander gave a laundry list of projects that would depend on congestion pricing revenue.
According to the Times' survey, Bloomberg would have 12 of the necessary 26 votes to enact the plan, with 11 members holding serious reservations and 8 members not responding. The City Council has 51 members total, so 20 members are currently opposed to the plan. Councilman Lewis A. Fidler, a Brooklyn Democrat, explained the prevailing attitude, "I think the council members, recognizing it’s not going to pass in Albany, want to assert the integrity of this institution.” In other words, it's perfect opportunity for a pissing match.
Bloomberg is a term-limited lame duck who now has three weeks to bend ears and twist arms, because the deadline that would qualify the City for $350 million in federal funding is looming on March 31st. Maybe Newsday's Dan Janison is right - maybe it is all downhill from here for Bloomberg.
Photo from the Associated Press
