NYC Traffic Fee Revived in Albany - AP

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

NYC Traffic Fee Revived in Albany
Commission Will Give NYC Congestion Pricing Plan
a Second Look

By MICHAEL GORMLEY Associated Press Writer
ALBANY, N.Y. Jul 19, 2007 (AP)

A state commission will consider whether Mayor Michael
Bloomberg's plan to charge a toll on some commuters to
reduce traffic and pollution in New York City should
ultimately take effect, according to a deal reached
Thursday.

The agreement among Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Mayor Michael
Bloomberg and legislative leaders gives the so-called
"congestion pricing" plan a second life three days after
it appeared dead.

It also will keep the mayor's proposal in the running to
compete with nine other cities in a national pilot
program for traffic-reducing projects that could trigger
the release of $500 million in federal funding for
mass transportation, legislators said.

Under the deal, the state committed to taking steps
to reduce pollution and traffic. But Bloomberg's
proposal to levy tolls on some commuters will be taken
up by a commission, and the Legislature will ultimately
have until March 31 to consider its recommendations.

-snip-

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3395894

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Source: Reuters

New York City's traffic fee plan wins state OK
Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:38PM EDT

By Joan Gralla

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City's congestion pricing
plan cleared a key hurdle on Thursday, when the state
government finally authorized it to begin installing "the
needed equipment" though lawmakers denied it the ability
to impose an $8-per-car fee without their approval.

The accord was announced by Mayor Michael Bloomberg
and Gov. Eliot Spitzer -- a few days after a federal
deadline for $2 billion in aid sought by New York and eight
other cities.

-snip-

Bloomberg, who recently became an independent after
winning two mayoral terms as a Republican, said: "By
moving forward in our effort to clean our air and fight
congestion, we will help our economy, improve public
health, and make critical improvements to our public
transportation system."

The mayor, whose high-profile stands on everything from
gun control to trans fat have prompted talk of a presidential
bid, said the new fees for driving into Manhattan on
weekdays will raise $30 billion for new commuter trains,
subways and buses.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1925079520070719