City Hall on Assembly 'Cop-Out,' and Other Reactions

Michael Bloomberg’s spokesman John Gallagher is releasing, upon request, a statement blasting the legislative process that killed his boss’ plans for congestion pricing.

John Liu, the chairman of the City Council’s transportation committee said, “This defeat is disappointing to transportation advocates, environmental advocates, community activists and business leaders alike. However, there's no use crying over spilled milk.  Even without congestion pricing, we still need to reduce the extreme congestion that has a chokehold on our economy as well as on our environment. Opponents of congestion pricing did in fact offer constructive alternatives to help alleviate traffic congestion, including initiating programs for carpooling, cracking down on parking placard abuse and restoring express bus service to levels that existed prior to Bloomberg becoming Mayor. The Bloomberg Administration must now examine those alternatives in earnest."

Democratic Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, Jr. of the Bronx released a statement saying he is “pleased to announce that the Mayor’s ill conceived ‘Congestion Pricing Plan’ has failed to win approval here in the New York State Assembly, the People’s House. After serious deliberations along with my colleagues in the Assembly we have rightfully concluded that the plan proposed by the Mayor would place an unfair financial burden on the already economically over burdened residents of the Bronx and New York City.”

Domenic Recchia, a Brooklyn City Councilman who voted for the program at the last minute, released a statement saying, “"I'm disappointed congestion pricing wasn't put to a vote," said Councilman Recchia.  "Mayor Bloomberg's plan deserved to be publicly vetted by lawmakers.  Money to improve transportation isn't going to materialize from thin air, and congestion pricing, while controversial, had real potential to solve some of the biggest problems facing New York City.  While commuters already paying tolls would have been held harmless under the plan, no one will be held harmless to fare increases, lack of service and clogged streets."