Obama Likes Congestion Pricing
It's not clear what effect, if any, this would have on the actual outcome of the mayor's push to enact congestion pricing, but as it turns out, Barack Obama supports the mayor's plan to reduce traffic.
Bloomberg introduced Obama before the senator's speech at Cooper Union this morning, fueling rumors of a formal endorsement or even a joint ticket. (So far, there have been no real signs of either.)
A reader sent over this brief transcript of a news clip that aired on WNYC a little while ago:
Senator Barack Obama: I think Mayor Bloomberg’s proposal for congestion pricing is a thoughtful and innovative approach to the problem.
[skip]
[WNYC radio reporter] Dan Blumberg: Obama said congestion pricing should not replace federal funding of mass transit. Obama was introduced by Mayor Bloomberg, who made it clear that it was just an introduction, not an endorsement. We’ll have more of Senator Obama’s exclusive interview with WNYC’s Bob Hennelly later today on All Things Considered.
UPDATE: Here is an audio clip of that WNYC excerpt above.
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There is a newsflash! Who would have guessed. Two urban liberals agreeing on imposition of a new tax intended to modify behavior (in this case restricting or regulating mobility) using environmentalism.
Newsflash to YOU Anonymous:
Your mobility is already regulated and sometimes restricted through numerous means such as the issuance or denial of driver's licenses, speed limits, one way streets, dui laws, and revocation of driving privileges due to noncompliance with laws or fees (ie, unpaid parking tickets, etc.)
~~~
if a republican had come up with this idea you'd be jumping for joy and screaming your support. instead of crying that your rights to drive gas-guzzling SUVs are being trampled, why not get out and ride your bike or take public transportation? it's good exercise and you're helping to save an ever-warming planet.
Congestion Pricing recrod in Illinois links
the state of
Senator Barack Obama links
Congestion Pricing Measures
I
http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/transportation/agendas/attachments/2007-05-...
2030 Regional Transportation Plan
Update Attachment
March 23, 2007
http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/transportation/agendas/attachments/2007-03-...
http://www.auditor.illinois.gov/Audit-Reports/Performance-Special-Multi/...
http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/uploadedFiles/committees/transportation/Age...
Congestion pricing will increase mobility for drivers, taxi riders, and bus riders by reducing traffic. It will also fund mass transit which will further enhance mobility for millions.
Yeah, that's what they say about all taxes. When the GW bridge opened in the 1930's, they were only supposed to collect tolls until the bridge payed for itself, which it did eight years later. Hmmm, still paying tolls on that thing today.
Taxes just get lumped into the general fund and are used to pay for whatever the city deems necessary at that time. It won't be any different with congestion pricing.
How can you take them seriously on what they are going to spend the money on, when the city is facing yearly budget shortfalls? They're gonna spend any new revenue to fill that gap.
Idiots.