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Apr 5, 2008 10:39 am US/Eastern
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Congestion Pricing Plan Lacks Support In Albany
State Democratic Leaders Warns Of Too Few Potential Votes
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Mayor Bloomberg's controversial congestion pricing plan may have just hit a red light in Albany. A spokesman for the Senate's GOP Majority says there will be enough votes to support the plan by Monday. But the State Senate Democratic leader who supports the plan is throwing up a red flag.
New York Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm Smith said on Friday that not enough Democrats are willing to cross the aisle and vote in favor by Monday's deadline. Smith, who represents part of Queens, says congestion pricing has hit a roadblock in the shape of the state budget.
"We are just now spending a lot of time trying to just get to a place where we have a budget done. So congestion pricing, congestion mitigation has sort of taken a back seat to it. And I can't say that we have what we need on that right now," said Smith.
He also added that the plan to charge $8 for cars and $21 for trucks to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. does not have enough democratic support in the Senate. If congestion pricing isn't passed by Monday, it loses $354 million in Federal funding, money that would go to the MTA for transit improvements. Since lawmakers will face a weekend full of budget talks, Smith says congestion pricing could die.
"We don't have enough votes as of today. The reason for that primarily is that we don't know what the final bill is going to look like. The assembly, we understand now looking at some amendments, but also we are spending a lot of time on the budget," said Smith.
Governor David Paterson on Friday announced lawmakers would need to stay in Albany all weekend to work on the budget. He had very little to add on congestion pricing:
"I have told the speaker that I am in favor of congestion pricing. I think it's good for our economy. I think it's good for our environment and it brings federal revenues to our state."
The State Legislature faces a deadline of midnight on Monday to act on the plan. But opposition from suburban and outer borough representatives makes approval uncertain.
Bloomberg was hoping to convince Paterson to offer legislative pay raises to the assembly as a trade but so far Paterson has refused.
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