SIBRO Civic (Staten Island and Brooklyn Civic) and South Beach Civic are sponsoring an Anti-Bloomberg Congestion Pricing Plan Forum, Sunday, April 6th at 7 PM in Xaverian High School, 7100 Shore Road,Brooklyn, NY 11209.

Speakers include Democratic Congressional Candidate Steve Harrison (NY13th CD, Staten Island/Southwest Brooklyn) and Queens City Councilman Tony Avella. One very prominent elected official is also trying to make it, but doesn't want his name released in case he can't it.

Councilman Bill de Blasio and Vinnie Gentile will send representatives.

There may also be speakers on behalf of the People with Disabilities community, who would suffer under the proposed congestion pricing.

Steve Harrison opposes Bloomberg's Congestion Plan, but not congestion pricing in theory.

For more information on Steve views on congestion pricing visit steveharrisonforcongress.com

Got this from Straphangers Campaign:

Chapter 384 of the Laws of 2007 established the New York City Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission, a 17-member body directed to undertake a review and study of plans to reduce traffic congestion and other related health and safety issues within the City of New York.

As part of its statutory mandate, and to provide the opportunity for maximum public involvement, participation and comment, the Commission is conducting this series of public hearings to be held in each borough of the City of New York, on Long Island, and in Westchester County.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Commission at any of the above public hearings should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.  read more »

This week, a multi-issue agreement was reached in Albany. The agreement covers congestion pricing, campaign finance reform, long-overdue salary increases, and possibly some legislation.

The bad news is that nothing (or almost nothing) was actually accomplished.

The congestion pricing debate will shift from the usual three men in a room – plus one (Mayor Bloomberg) to a 17-member commission. This commission will “study” several alternatives, then report early next year, after which the legislature may or may not act.

Whenever political leaders don’t want to take the heat for an initiative, they generally create a commission; this gives them cover, allowing them to claim that they’re just following the recommendations of the experts, while they hope nobody notices who appointed the members of the commission. (Note: the difference between a “committee” and a “commission” is still a mystery, except that a “committee” is usually created to bury an issue, while a “commission” is supposed to render an “independent judgment” that just happens to coincide with what its creators wanted.)  read more »

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Join me and other Daily Gothamers at the Drum Major Institute Fundraising Party. It's Thursday June 21, 2007 at 7:00 PM at Cipriani's 23rd Street -- 23rd & 5th Ave. Trust me, I've been to DMI events before. They are fun, thought provoking and -- if you tell them Daily Gotham sent you -- you can get in for less (see the end). The Drum Major Institute does great work. We should all support them

Two people are being honored: Michael Bloomberg, our Mayor and Tavis Smiley, the PBS-TV host and author. Introducing Mr. Smiley, is Dr. Cornell West one of the smarter, funnier people who always seems to be leading whatever organization I'm joining. Introducing the Mayor, will be Rev. Dr. James A Forbes Jr. Rev. Forbes is retiring as pastor of Riverside Church and, to my older ears, is a preacher of the old school. He is a pleasure, inspiration and should not be missed.

What's that you say? Bloggers who heap scorn on Mr. Bloomberg joining in to honor him? Absolutely. I am, if not the first heaper of scorn, among those who disagree with many of our Mayor's policies. Mr. Bloomberg's PlaNYC 2030, however, is a bold thoughtful policy change and we should honor it and the risk Mr. Bloomberg took proposing it. (Mind you, next week we should all criticize the Mayor for his deplorably meager affordable housing program.)

When you call or email for tickets -- tell them Daily Gotham sent you. DMI has promised to give our activists entre for less. For you a special deal. Click here for more information. See you there.

In the great meeting room of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, Mayor Bloomberg and the chairs of many NYS Assembly Committees engaged in a snappish battle of wits in which the citizens were losers. Richard Brodsky and Denny Farrell scored imaginary talking points off the Mayor. Even if you have a horse in this race (and I do), it was difficult to declare a winner. (After the jump, a possible fatal flaw in Mr. Bloomberg's plan and a chance to lobby in Albany if you support it.)

UPDATE: Rep. Joseph Crowley, chair of the Queens Democratic Party, (whose district includes a portion of the Bronx) endorsed the Congestion Pricing Proposal. In a complete coincidence, Mayor Bloomberg promised to pay for two new Queens LIRR stations (and two Bronx Metro North Stations).

2nd UPDATE TUESDAY: Sheldon Silver is not convinced here and here .

The Mayor, of course, knew the details of the proposal and no one else did.  read more »