Source: New York Sun
Publication Date: Jan. 17, 2008

The five options that the Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission proposed on January 10 put to rest any concerns that the commission is anything less than an independent, results-oriented body [New York, "Weiner Sees Stacked Deck on Congestion Pricing Plan" January 9, 2008].

Not only did the commission carefully evaluate Mayor Bloomberg's original plan, it offered four alternatives and incorporated many proposals suggested by the public during the course of eight hearings.

In attacking the commission's credibility, Rep. Anthony Weiner by implication is also criticizing the state legislature, which set up this process.

It is worth noting that the commission members were appointed by Governor Spitzer, Speaker Silver, Majority Leader Bruno, Minority Leaders Smith and Tedisco, Mayor Bloomberg, and Speaker Quinn - a group that includes Republicans, Democrats, and an independent.

Traffic congestion costs New York nearly $13 billion a year in lost time, wasted fuel and lost business.

Our mass transit system is underbuilt and underfunded, and Mr. Weiner's Brooklyn and Queens district is particularly poorly served by it. These are serious problems and we need serious solutions - that's why this serious process is in place.

MARCIA BYSTRYN
New York, N.Y.