Michael Bloomberg's plan to charge drivers for entering New York City has met with luke warm approval in the New York state congress. However, Governor Spitzer and the Federal Government are behind it. The Federal government is preparing to pay a half billion dollars to fund the costs of the project even.
Pork Barrel politics at work with your tax dollars
charge cars and trucks a flat fee to drive into Manhattan below 86th Street earned key support earlier this week when it was endorsed by Gov. Eliot Spitzer and by federal transportation officials. The city is under consideration for as much as $500 million in federal grants for a pilot program on congestion pricing, enough to pay for all the start-up costs for the system.
Under the plan, it would cost $8 to drive a car and $21 to drive a truck into the congestion zone between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, when traffic in Manhattan is the worst. But those fees, like many elements of the sweeping city-planning initiative Mr. Bloomberg unveiled last month, would require Albany’s approval.
You might have thought that it was expensive to fill up your car with gas, well if you travel to New York City every day, that cost is going to be $40 per week, plus parking, plus gas now.
The gridlock that this may fend off on the roads is being countered by extra gridlock in government. Bloomberg is looking to create a new authority to cover this new agency that would police and charge commuters. The new authority is expected to bring in $380 million in revenue per year.
The skeptic in me thinks that this will help traffic, but I suspect this same authority will end up costing at least $381 million per year to run. Since we are talking about New York City politics that should probably be adjusted to $1.2 billion per year in costs. $381 million actual costs, $381 million for illegal graft, corruption and waste and $381 million paid out to legitimate contractors for excessive prices for maintenance and services.
Source: State Lawmakers Give Bloomberg Traffic Plan a Cool Reception - New York Times
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1 comments:
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We all have to wonder what Bloomberg is really thinking of with this congestion pricing tax scheme. Maybe he mostly just wants a new tax. Just wrap it up in 'concern for the environment', and people can just demonize those who oppose it.
If he cares so much about traffic jams, congestion and air pollution, why does he let Park Avenue be blocked off? Why doesn't he do anything about that?
Pershing Square Restaurant blocks Park Avenue going South at 42nd St. for 12 hours a day/6 months of the year! This Causes Massive Congestion & Air Pollution!
But apparently it does not bother NYC's Nanny-in-Chief Mike "Congestion Pricing Tax" Bloomberg? Check out the map!
http://whataplanet.blogspot.com
http://preview.tinyurl.com/38obfd
Check it out!
Thanks,
Little Blue PD
:)