Bill Thompson has a problem with congestion pricing.
Here’s part of the transcript from a television interview Thompson did this morning with NBC’s Jay DeDapper which will air on Sunday:
DeDAPPER: Name one big problem you have.
Mr. THOMPSON: Well, how do you allow deductibility of tolls for people
coming in through the George Washington Bridge and coming in from Jersey…
DeDAPPER: Like the Holland Tunnel, right.
Mr. THOMPSON: …and Long Island, and at the same point, you say to New
Yorkers, you have to dig deeper in your pocket? You know, those are the sins of the city. I mean, I think there’s an unfairness there. So that was one of the big complaints I had before. I still have that complaint. I just think it’s unfair to New Yorkers.
Congestion pricing is the centerpiece of Michael Bloomberg’s long-term transportation plan for the city. But its passage from the City Council and the State Legislature is in question.
For people keeping score, that’s two mayoral candidates with objections to the plan (Thompson and Anthony Weiner) and one that is much more in favor of it (Christine Quinn).
DeDapper later asked whether the 2009 mayor’s race is going to be a race to see who can best replicate the third term of Michael Bloomberg’s administration.
DeDAPPER: Is his endorsement going to be as valuable as Rudy Giuliani’s was to him?
Mr. THOMPSON: Hmm, times are different. I don’t believe anybody’s
endorsement carries that much weight, usually. Would everybody like it?
Sure.
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