New York Times- It's Up to You, Mr. Silver:
While Gov. David Paterson and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno have embraced congestion pricing, the third man in the Albany power triangle, Sheldon Silver, the Assembly speaker, has been his usual reticent self. Worse, Mr. Silver has said that he would not put a congestion pricing bill to a vote until after the state budget, now officially late, is resolved, perhaps by the end of the week. That's cutting it close because the deadline for collecting $354 million in federal money to implement congestion pricing is Monday. Mr. Silver can do better.
Congestion pricing has been put through its paces, many of them dictated by Mr. Silver. At his urging, a commission composed of representatives of top city and state elected officials was appointed. It markedly improved on Mr. Bloomberg's plan. Mr. Silver also asked for the City Council to approve the plan first, providing cover for state legislators to follow suit.
Now it is Mr. Silver's turn. He needs to schedule congestion pricing for a floor vote this week while there is still time to meet the federal deadline.
Observer- Congestion Pricing? Not Without Sheldon Silver:
Once again, Michael Bloomberg has defied public opinion polls and noisy skeptics, lined up bipartisan support from the Democratic governor and the Republican State Senate and won over city lawmakers in support of an idea that would have a profound impact in New York City.
And once again, his big plan-this time, to impose a toll on cars driving into midtown Manhattan-faces a immovable obstacle in Sheldon Silver, who often seems to be the most powerful politician in New York.
(snip)
Of the three people who actually control the state's unwieldy, anachronistic state government, two-Governor David Paterson and the Senate majority leader, Joe Bruno-support the plan. Mr. Silver, as is his wont, has not taken a clear position either way, instead expressing vaguely defined concerns about the details that are available while demanding more information about the aspects that have yet to be worked out.
Daily News- The Big Green Light:
In voting to endorse congestion pricing, the City Council recognized the plan for what it is: the biggest boost for New York mass transit in decades.
The Legislature must show the same wisdom. Albany lawmakers - notably Speaker Sheldon Silver and Assembly Democrats - should approve pouring the billions of dollars that would flow from congestion pricing into transportation improvements.
Ball's in your court, Shelly. Hope you do the right thing, or you better be prepared to do a lot of 'splaining to your district come September. |
