Challenger Paul Newell Criticizes Sheldon Silver's Congestion Dodge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 7, 2008 

Challenger Paul Newell Criticizes Sheldon Silver's Congestion Dodge

 

Today, Paul Newell criticized Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's backroom dealings to deny accountable government to 19 million New Yorkers, saying "Sheldon Silver's failure to even schedule a vote on congestion pricing shows his contempt for both the democratic process and concerns of Lower Manhattanites." 

 

Newell continued to criticize Silver's backroom approach.  "New Yorkers deserve a legislature that debates issues in public rather than quietly killing them behind closed doors.  After 32 years in Albany, Sheldon Silver's culture of failure denies accountability and representation to 19 million New Yorkers, and stifles innovative policy solutions."

 

Newell pointed out that the 64^th Assembly District includes the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges and the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, with the Holland Tunnel just a few blocks away, saying "There is no community in New York State more directly impacted by traffic congestion than ours".  Only 2.3% of Lower Manhattanites drive to work and the vast majority of Downtowners use public transportation.  These riders stood to gain from congestion pricing with urgently needed improvements at the Brooklyn Bridge, Whitehall Street, East Broadway, Bowery, Grand Street and South Ferry subway stations and increased service on the M15 bus line.

 

Noting that all three Lower Manhattan City Councilmember supported the home rule message, Paul Newell asked why Silver is so out of step with the district's needs.  "It's clear that Silver views his constituency as the caucus in Albany and not the people of Lower Manhattan  What is the point of being represented by the Speaker when he fails to stand up for our vital concerns?".

 

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http://www.e-benchmarks.com/congestion/factsheets/mh/silver64.pdf