The New York League of Conservation Voters, the political voice for New York's environmental community, today expressed deep disappointment that the state Legislature sidestepped a historic opportunity to improve our aging and overburdened mass transit system.

"By not voting on congestion pricing, Albany has merely postponed the day of reckoning with polluted air, crowded subways and congested streets to a time when things will be worse," said Marcia Bystryn, executive director of the New York League of Conservation Voters. "Given this issue's importance to the environment, we will take legislators' stances on congestion pricing into consideration when making endorsements and supporting candidates this fall."

In an urban environment like New York, mass transit plays a key role in the fight against climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

NYLCV will continue to advocate for more funding to improve New York City Transit, the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Rail Road. However, given New York's fiscal downturn and Albany's inaction today, strap hangers are not likely to see transit relief anytime soon.

"We may have lost this battle, but New Yorkers cannot afford to lose the war for better mass transit," Bystryn added.