Queens pols fi ght congestion pricing tax
Lawmakers say latest proposal would create burden to borough’s working, middle classes
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
Civic leaders and lawmakers
from eastern Queens traveled on a
rainy Sunday morning to Long Island
City to announce their staunch
opposition to any congestion pricing
tax that could be burdensome for
their constituents traveling to and
from Manhattan.
State Assemblyman David Weprin
and City Councilmen Barry
Grodenchik and Daneek Miller were
joined by the Queens Civic Congress,
Trucking Association of New York,
Keep NYC Free, and concerned outer
borough residents for the Dec. 16
press conference held at 25-01 Queens
Plaza North, near the entrance to the
Ed Koch-Queensboro Bridge.
The congestion pricing plan, introduced
by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Fix
NYC Task Force in January, aims to
alleviate traffic on Manhattan streets
and provide the ailing subway system
with much needed cash. The plan,
which will begin in 2020, calls for
a charge of $11.52 for cars entering
parts of Manhattan, plus surcharges
for taxis, for-hire vehicles, and an
heftier $25.34 for trucks.
Weprin believes the congestion
tax would be disastrous for Queens,
Brooklyn, and Long Island residents,
as it would cost commuters hundreds
of dollars in additional expenses
each month.
“It would raise the cost of doing
business with the cost of congestion
taxing being passed onto businesses,”
said Weprin. “It would raise the
cost of consumer goods, with business
passing along extra costs to
consumers. It would limit the competitive
ability of these local small
businesses; and it would impose a
monetary barrier to Manhattan for
outer borough residents, who often
travel to the city to visit a doctor,
watch a show or enjoy a night out in
Manhattan.”
“New York cannot burden the
backs of these outer borough working
and middle class residents, already
struggling with the rising
costs of living with a new congestion
tax,” he added.
(From l. to r.) City Councilman Barry Grodenchik, along with State Assemblyman David Weprin and City Councilmember Daneek
Miller, gather in Long Island City argue against the congestion pricing tax that could cost outer-borough residents hundreds in
additional expenses each month traveling to parts of Manhattan. Photo by Bruce Adler
Weprin speaks at the Long Island City
press conference.
Weprin said that the state and
city governments must find alternative
funding streams to boost public
transportation improvements, including
the restoration of a commuter
tax, an increase in the gas cap,
and tax revenue from marijuana
legalization.
In southeast Queens, where there
isn’t a multitude of accessible transit
options for his constituents, Miller
said his community shouldn’t be
forced to pay what he believes to be
a regressive and burdensome tax.
“When programs such as the reduced
fare LIRR Atlantic ticket offer
viable alternatives that actually
benefit outer borough residents,”
said Miller. “Transportation is the
great equalizer between communities,
but there is no equity to be
gained from congestion pricing.”
Grodenchik agreed, stating that
there are alternatives that can be
explored which will not disproportionately
impacted communities and
residents of eastern Queens.
Corey Bearak, senior policy advisor
with Keep NYC Congestion Tax
Free, said the congestion tax represents
an ideological-driven attempt
at social engineering which would
limit the ability of New York City’s
middle class and working families
to midtown and downtown Manhattan
every work day.
“It makes better sense to replace
this regressive scheme and its limited
and unsustainable revenues
with sound measures identified by
Keep NYC Free, including charging
market rate for street closures ($600
million), registration fees ($300 million)
and non-resident income tax
($2 billion),” said Bearak. “These
would better serve the public and
transit needs.”
Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed
by e-mail at cmohamed@cnglocal.
com or by phone at (718) 260–4526.
IN THIS ISSUE HOW TO REACH US
MAIL: 38-15 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361
PHONE: Display Advertising: (718) 260-4537 — Editorial: (718) 260-4539
FAX: Advertising: (718) 224-5821 — Classified: (718) 260-2549
Editorial (718) 224-2934
E-MAIL: Editorial: timesledgernews@cnglocal.com
Display Advertising: llindenauer@cnglocal.com
Classified: classified@cnglocal.com
TO SUBSCRIBE: Call (718) 260-4521
Copyright©2018 Queens CNG LLC.
Acts of Kindness...........................................8
Police Blotter................................................10
Editorials and Letters...............................20
Queensline...................................................22
QGuide ....................................................35-39
Sports......................................................43-46
Classifieds.............................................48-50
TIMESLEDGER is published weekly by Queens CNG LLC, 38-15 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY.11361, (718) 229-0300. The entire contents of this publication are copyright 2018. All rights reserved. The newspaper will not be
liable for errors appearing in any advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Periodicals postage paid at Flushing, N.Y. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the TimesLedger C/O News Queens
CNG LLC. 38-15 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, N.Y. 11361.
TIMESLEDGER, D 2 EC. 21-27, 2018 TIMESLEDGER.COM
link
link
link