New York Chapter of REP Supports Testing of Congestion Pricing

July 11, 2007

Earlier today, the New York State Chapter of Republicans for Environmental Protection sent the following letter to all GOP New York State Senators and Assembly members. It asks our elected officials to uphold the environmental traditions of the Republican Party by supporting New York City’s plan to test congestion pricing. It further supports the other goals of plaNYC in principle, while acknowledging some areas of concern.

Republicans for Environmental Protection is a national organization advancing the ideal that a healthy environment and a sound economy are both essential to our nation’s prosperity. There is nothing more conservative than conservation.

For more information on REP nationally, please see our web site, www.rep.org, or contact Policy Director Jim DiPeso, (available by phone at 253-740-2066).

Dear Fellow Republican:

In the next few days, there will be a vote on the New York City plan to test congestion pricing as part of Mayor Bloomberg’s comprehensive program, plaNYC, for sustainable growth. The New York Chapter of Republicans for Environmental Protection supports the program broadly and urges you to vote in favor of congestion pricing.

Please note that the city’s plan is only a pilot test of congestion pricing, and that the plan must be approved before July 16 to qualify for a portion of federal funds designated for reducing urban congestion. Opponents have claimed that congestion pricing is unfair or unworkable, but we believe it will help accomplish three important things: reduce the horrendous traffic in Midtown Manhattan, raise money to further support mass transit, and begin the actual implementation of the broader program.

Details of the congestion pricing, and indeed of most of the plaNYC have not been fixed, and we are concerned that the program is long on goals and short on specifics for execution. We are also troubled by the prospect of large new city bureaucracies. Small government has always been a hallmark of the GOP platform, so we urge that any new initiatives under the plaNYC be handled by existing agencies whenever possible.

Nevertheless, the coming vote on congestion pricing represents an important opportunity for Republican leaders in the state to recapture our pro-environment credentials in a way that backs sustainable growth and practical solutions to serious problems. Of course it will not be easy. GOP environmental champions like Governor Pataki and Congressman Sherwood Boehlert have left the scene, and the time has come for new leadership to step up. Mayor Bloomberg led the development of this program while he was a Republican, and the task now falls to those of us still in the party to carry the work forward.

If we can help in any way build support for the current vote or for other aspects of the broader program, please contact New York State Chapter President Gregory Morris at 212-281-8086, or by e-mail at newyork@rep.org. Republicans for Environmental Protection is a national organization advancing the ideal that healthy environment and a sound economy are both essential to our nation’s prosperity. There is nothing more conservative than conservation.

Thanks and regards,

The Executive Committee
New York Chapter of Republicans for Environmental Protection
-Gregory Morris, president
-David Warren, vice president
-Joe Habib, secretary/treasurer
-Bob Adamski, committee member
-David Sgorbati, committee member