Congestion Tax in New York City

New York City Mayor Bloomberg has introduced a carbon tax on vehicles entering Manhattan called congestion pricing. The way it will work is similar to the London congestion charge. London will be extending its congestion charge to SUVs and luxury cars[1]. In London they use this congestion charge to punish people who drive SUVs beginning 2009. During peak hourscommuters into London, UK who drive an SUV or a sport or luxury car will face a daily $47 congestion tax beginning in 2009.

In NYC between the Hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. vehicles entering Manhattan will be charged $8. Vehicles traveling on the FDR or the west side highway with the exception of cars, buses, emergency, or handicap vehicles, will be charged $21. The city is not setting up toll booths on every bridge. So, the way Mayor Bloomberg is planning on charging people for this is by using their E-ZPass system, an electronic toll collection system used on most toll bridges and toll roads. For those who don't have the E-Zpass, cameras that were placed on the bridges and roads will be used to record license plate info and send the driver will be sent a bill. So the use of big brother is will be used to combat traffic congestion. Campaign for New York's future.org has supported Mayor Bloomberg congestion pricing plan. Campaign for New York's future.org has posted many billboards and had campaigners out on the streets of New York City to get people to write letters to New York state assembly speaker Sheldon Silver.

The way to fight back is to contact the speaker Sheldon silver and tell him no his phone number is 212-312-1420. Also contact Mayor Bloomberg and tell him now at 212-788-3000. Also if you live in New York State contact your district to find out who they are go to this website http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/ In June 20, 2007 New York Post article titled "MIKE'S AUTO-CRATIC PLAN 'DEAD FOR GOOD': POLS" Kenneth Lovett reported that many democrats of New York State assembly are against this plan. "Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he believes something needs to be done to ease congestion and improve the city's air quality, but indicated it could be done with or without congestion pricing. He said there are still too many outstanding questions for the Assembly to act at this point even though Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno indicated his house will pass a congestion-pricing bill before leaving town tomorrow (Lovett, 2007)[2]." This is an obviously another attack on the middle class by adding more tax for us to pay.

[1] (2006, 11, 14). thenewspaper.com. Retrieved June 26, 2007, from London Congestion Tax Used to Punish SUVs, Sports Car Owners Web site: http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/14/1444.asp

[2]Lovett, Kenneth MIKE'S AUTO-CRATIC PLAN 'DEAD FOR GOOD': POLS. (2001, 06 20). New York Post,