Congestion Pricing Round-up

* Via Tom;

Brooklyn City Councilman Domenic Recchia, who wants to be your U.S. congressman, voted in favor of congestion pricing yesterday.

His opponent in the Democratic congressional primary here, Steve Harrison, is against the proposal.

* via Sally in the Advance;

Although congestion pricing is a city and state issue, it is getting mixed into the heated Democratic primary for the race to succeed Rep. Vito Fossella.

snip

During his speech, Recchia echoed the mayor's mantra that charging drivers $8 for entering Manhattan south of 60th Street between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, a fee from which existing tolls would be deducted, would raise funds for mass transit projects in the five boroughs.

Harrison, who opposes congestion pricing, argued that it attempts to serve opposing interests: If people are in fact deterred by the toll and take mass transit, it may not raise sufficient funds. If drivers stay in their cars and pour extra funds into the public transportation system, the city's air will not benefit, he said.

* Sally again from later in that article;

Fossella (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) did not return calls for comment on congestion pricing, and has not taken a public position on the issue, which requires votes on the city and state levels but is being bolstered by a promise of federal funds.

Of course Fossella did not return calls nor will he state his position on congestion pricing. Vito Fossella who won't even comment or suggest any policy for Iraq. He doesn't really see his job as a congressman as one of policy creation and legislation as much as he thinks it is about ski trips.

note: let me know if you see anymore articles on congestion pricing and any of the candidates.