Silver: Fate of Pricing Decided by Monday

Liz Benjamin at the Daily Politics is reporting that Sheldon Silver will direct Assembly Democrats to take action on congestion pricing by Monday, when the window to receive $354 million in federal funds expires. However, Silver would not guarantee that pricing will reach the floor for a full vote, only that a decision will be reached one way or the other.

Benjamin also quoted from a radio interview Silver gave on WCBI AM, during which the Speaker admitted that his district would stand to benefit from pricing:

"I, for one, believe we should do something about congestion; I, for
one, believe congestion is a serious problem," the speaker added. "I
represent a portion of Manhattan that hopefully would be alleviated by
this plan. Notwithstanding that, there are a number of members who
have serious concerns about it."

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

Assembly Dems Kill Pricing

By Ben Fried |
Speaker Sheldon Silver, as quoted in the Daily Politics: "The conference has decided that they are not prepared to do congestion pricing," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver after emerging from behind closed doors where he was closeted with members of his Democratic majority. "I think you can speak to the members of the conference who […]

Senate Moves Toward Pricing Vote

By Ben Fried |
Liz Benjamin at the Daily Politics is reporting that Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno will call a floor vote on congestion pricing today: Senators on both sides of aisle have received the heads up that the majority is preparing to call a vote on congestion pricing, despite the fact that both Senate Majority Leader Joseph […]

$1 Billion From Port Authority Not Enough for Shelly Silver

By Ben Fried |
On Saturday night, the congestion pricing bill in the State Senate was amended to include exemptions for low-income drivers and cars with handicapped plates. As expected, the changes also stipulated a way to make New Jersey drivers pay "their fair share." In the amended bill, the Port Authority is required to contribute $1 billion to […]

Quinn Makes Pricing Panel Picks

By Brad Aaron |
From Elizabeth Benjamin at The Daily Politics: Aides to Council Speaker Christine Quinn are calling Council members this morning with the news that none of them made the cut when it came to her three appointments to the 17-member city/state commission that will decide the fate of Mayor Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan. According to Council […]

Spitzer Backs Congestion Pricing

By Aaron Naparstek |
Is Mayor Bloomberg actually going to pull this off? Governor Eliot Spitzer came out in favor of congestion pricing this morning. Elizabeth Benjamin at the Daily News reports: Standing with Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Gov. Eliot Spitzer this morning said he is "in favor of embracing a congestion pricing model" at a press conference where U.S. […]