Jul 16, 2007 7:32 pm US/Eastern
Silver Makes Counterproposal To Congestion Plan
Mayor Bloomberg's Original Idea Appears Out Of Steam
by Marcia Kramer
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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There are strong feelings on both sides of the congestion pricing debate.
CBS
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Bloomberg argues that charging $8 to drive into Manhattan's central business district will lower asthma rates for kids, and it will mean cleaner air for all.
AP
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Mayor Mike Bloomberg visited three churches in minority neighborhoods to argue that charging $8 to drive into Manhattan's central business district will mean cleaner air and lower asthma rates for their kids.
CBS
Approaching the deadline for federal funds, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told CBS 2 HD he has a counterproposal to Mayor Michael Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan and he's trying to sell it to his members right now.
"It's a radical proposal in terms of a change in the way we do business, and it deserves to be aired publicly," Silver told CBS 2 HD.
Silver's plan to deal with congestion in the city centers on creating a legislative commission to both study congestion pricing and have the final say on what will be included. It will determine if there are fees and what they are, what the zones should be and if there are other ways to keep cars out of the city.
"We believe that the mayor's congestion pricing proposal is something that has never been tried here in this country," Silver said. "It's never been tried here in New York."
But to make sure the congestion plan is truly supported by the city, not just the mayor, Silver wants the City Council to approve it before the legislature votes.
"We believe the people who are duly elected to represent people in the city ought to opine on this issue," Silver said.
Of course Silver's proposal has to pass muster with Gov. Eliot Spitzer and Sen. Majority Leader Joe Bruno.
"They understand where we are coming from," Silver said.
The Silver plan is based on a commission that could take until as long as January to make its rulings. The problem is, it also came as a red-faced Bruno had to admit he only had 17 votes in his house to pass Mayor Bloomberg's plan.
The unknown factor is nobody knows exactly what Bloomberg will do. He reportedly left Albany in a huff on Monday afternoon and refused to take reporter's questions.
Assemblyman Richard Brodsky told CBS 2 HD if the mayor truly wants to have a congestion pricing plan, he will have to work with the Assembly to try to make it happen. But if he wants to hold his breath and turn purple, he's going to be left with nothing.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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