Last night, Democrats voted against congestion pricing in New York City and I went to bed very angry. For those who don't know, congestion pricing has been a very controversial topic here in New York. Bloomberg's idea is to charge motorists a significant fee for driving through Manhattan. The purpose is to cut traffic and improve air quality in New York City.
Congestion pricing has been implemented in London, Norway and Sweden and the results have been fantastic. Traffic has been cut by as much as 50% and air quality has improved dramatically. Environmentalists like myself think that this plan should be implemented in all US cities because it cuts CO2 emmissions by more than half - less cars and less standing traffic means less fuel burned.
Here is my letter to the Democratic State Assembly Speaker and leading opponent of the congestion pricing plan.
speaker@assembly.state.ny.us
Dear Mr. Sheldon Silver,
I am a Democrat and I live on E 82nd St. in New York. I am very angry that you and your constituents voted against congestion pricing yesterday. I am an environmentalist and I have learned that congestion pricing is one of the best things that we can do for reducing CO2 emissions in major cities. As the population of New York is growing every year, we have a responsibility to take care of the environment around us. I am extremely disappointed in the Democrats on this issue and urge you to reconsider your vote.
From everything I read this morning, it seems like the Democrats were more concerned with Bloomberg's political positioning and personal delivery than with the actual benefits our city would receive from a congestion pricing plan. Who cares what the mayor's demeanor was like during the negotiations? You were voted into office to represent what the people of New York City want, not to act according to how you feel personally about the mayor. I am extremely disappointed in the democratic leadership and I hope that the congestion pricing bill will pass as quickly as possible because environmental degradation (climate change) is our world's most urgent issue.
Sincerely,
Marc Gustafson
Please join me in contacting Sheldon Silver: 212-312-1420