Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bloomberg: Congestion Pricing Opposition is Stupid!
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 19, 2008
Modified Mar 19, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 19, 2008
Modified Mar 19, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
If you're a politician who has opposed Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan, watch out! At a Crain's business breakfast, Bloomberg said, regarding Representative Anthony Weiner's suggestion that congestion pricing would mean less federal funding (did Weiner forget the feds are offering $354 million), "That is one of the stupider things I’ve ever heard said."
He said NJ Governor Jon Corzine's congestion fee opposition was hypocritical, given recent toll fee hike from the Port Authority (run by Corzine and now NY Governor David Paterson). And regarding local leaders who aren't supporting congestion pricing because of their constituents, Bloomberg said, "“That is not why people were elected. They were elected to lead."
Streetsblog reports that Bloomberg's administration is "working with lawmakers on a possible refund for low-income city commuters" to offset congestion fees "that are over and above the comparable cost of commuting by subway," a request from Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver. Bloomberg also emphasized the plan has to pass by the March 31 to take advantage of the federal funding, "Refusing those funds is basically saying that there will be next to no MTA capital projects in our immediate future."
And Observer had more of Bloomberg's thoughts on Weiner's congestion pricing ideas:
"Forget the fact that he’s one of the congressmen who’s supposed to get the money for us. The Democrats control—his party controls Congress—what’s he talking about? Number two, by that argument, we should cut all the taxes, which some people would like, and then just sit here and wait to give us all the money back. Are you kidding? It’s insanity.”
Bloomberg is so not endorsing Weiner for Mayor in 2009.
Tagged
anthony weiner
congestion pricing
insanity
Mayor Blomberg
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Inside the luxury Greenpoint high-rise powered by a rumbling generator for over a month
The fallout from an electrical fire, among other safety and maintenance concerns, has sparked anger inside the 40-story tower known as The Greenpoint.
By
David Brand
Published Oct 12, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
The announcement comes as Mamdani faces mounting criticism from the left for his approach to policing.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
The announcement comes as Mamdani faces mounting criticism from the left for his approach to policing.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Company that won $23M NYPD building contract was investigated by LI watchdog
By
Ben Feuerherd
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
By
Michael Sol Warren
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .