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Politics
Mayor: Traffic fee plan is dead
Michael Bloomberg slams state leaders for blocking a plan to cut New York traffic.
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published July 18, 2007
NEW YORK - With his traffic fee proposal all but dead, Mayor Michael Bloomberg lashed out Tuesday at lawmakers who blocked it, saying they were gutless and had jeopardized a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." A day earlier, the city missed a deadline to qualify for federal funding for the so-called congestion-pricing program. Bloomberg blamed the state Legislature for failing to act on the proposal before adjourning. "New York City is today poorer because of Albany's inaction yesterday, and I think it appears that we jeopardized, at best, and probably lost, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Bloomberg said. "And demonstrated once again that Albany just does not seem to get it." Bloomberg pushed for the plan as part of a package of environmental proposals that attracted national attention at a time when he is said to be contemplating a presidential bid. The plan, similar to systems in London and Singapore, called for an $8 toll for cars and a $21 toll for trucks entering Manhattan's most heavily traveled business district during workdays. Bloomberg said congestion pricing would improve air quality by forcing more people onto mass transit. But it was not popular outside Manhattan. In Albany, legislative leaders and Gov. Eliot Spitzer held out hope that the plan could be salvaged, but did not explain how. Bloomberg had harsh words on Tuesday for state leaders, including Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who remained in New York City as the deadline approached, making it essentially impossible to schedule a vote on the plan. "Some people have guts and lead from the front, and some don't," Bloomberg said. Democratic Assembly member Richard Brodsky said some members felt Bloomberg had resorted to "threats and bullying," while refusing to answer questions about the plan. New York is one of nine cities competing for five slots to share $1.2-billion in federal funding for traffic-reducing pilot projects. New York is being considered for $500-million of that money. Federal officials plan to announce which cities will receive funding in August.
[Last modified July 18, 2007, 01:58:10]
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