ALBANY - The state Senate will return to Albany Monday to consider an evolving proposal that would create special tolls in Manhattan to reduce traffic and pollution.
Republican Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said Wednesday that he expects his chamber will approve a version of the “congestion pricing” plan proposed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. But Bruno acknowledged he will likely need help from Democrats - a rare move in majority-dominated Albany.
Bruno needs Democrats to help pass the measure because some Long Island and suburban Republican senators oppose the tolls that would hit their constituents who work in Manhattan.
The Democrat-led Assembly, however, has not yet scheduled a date to return to Albany, despite Bruno's insistence that Monday is the “drop-dead” date. He said that's when the U.S. Department of Transportation needs commitments for a pilot project that could bring $500 million to New York to pay for implementation.
“At this point it should not be a ‘my way or the highway' approach to dealing with congestion and health in the City of New York,” said Assembly Majority Leader Sheldon Silver, who suggested a commission could be created to study options.
“Somebody's got to put together that comprehensive plan that may or may not include a pricing structure,” Silver said. “It may include incentives instead of taxing people, or maybe in off hours we provide cheaper forms of mass transit.”
A WNBC/Marist Poll released Wednesday found 61 percent of residents in New York City and its surrounding suburbs oppose Bloomberg's plan. It would charge about $8 to most drivers from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays to enter Manhattan south of 86th Street. Within Manhattan, 48 percent of residents support the plan and 46 percent oppose it.
Bloomberg's office is working with the legislative leaders and Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
“The three-way negotiations that are currently taking place are cause for encouragement,” said John Gallagher of the mayor's office. “The federal government has made it clear that the state must authorize congestion pricing by Monday or we will not receive the $500 million we have applied for.”
He said a commission could study how to implement the plan once it is approved in Albany on Monday.
Monday's session may also include action on other major proposals left over from the regular session that ended June 21.
Bruno needs Democrats to help pass the measure because some Long Island and suburban Republican senators oppose the tolls that would hit their constituents who work in Manhattan.
The Democrat-led Assembly, however, has not yet scheduled a date to return to Albany, despite Bruno's insistence that Monday is the “drop-dead” date. He said that's when the U.S. Department of Transportation needs commitments for a pilot project that could bring $500 million to New York to pay for implementation.
“At this point it should not be a ‘my way or the highway' approach to dealing with congestion and health in the City of New York,” said Assembly Majority Leader Sheldon Silver, who suggested a commission could be created to study options.
“Somebody's got to put together that comprehensive plan that may or may not include a pricing structure,” Silver said. “It may include incentives instead of taxing people, or maybe in off hours we provide cheaper forms of mass transit.”
A WNBC/Marist Poll released Wednesday found 61 percent of residents in New York City and its surrounding suburbs oppose Bloomberg's plan. It would charge about $8 to most drivers from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays to enter Manhattan south of 86th Street. Within Manhattan, 48 percent of residents support the plan and 46 percent oppose it.
Bloomberg's office is working with the legislative leaders and Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
“The three-way negotiations that are currently taking place are cause for encouragement,” said John Gallagher of the mayor's office. “The federal government has made it clear that the state must authorize congestion pricing by Monday or we will not receive the $500 million we have applied for.”
He said a commission could study how to implement the plan once it is approved in Albany on Monday.
Monday's session may also include action on other major proposals left over from the regular session that ended June 21.
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