The New York City Council has asked the state Legislature to enact Mayor Michael Bloomberg's controversial "congestion pricing," proposal, which would charge drivers for entering Manhattan's busiest areas on weekdays.


According to Bloomberg.com news, the council's action moves the issue to the Legislature, which is still struggling to pass its overdue budget. "The council's vote of 30 to 20, one of the narrowest of the Bloomberg administration, came in the form of a Home Rule resolution asking state lawmakers to approve a Senate bill amended [Monday] by Gov. David Paterson empowering the city to impose the traffic plan," Bloomberg reported.

If approved by lawmakers and the governor, the plan would use a system of electronic toll monitors and license-plate reading cameras at the periphery of the "congestion zone," from 60th Street south. Trucks would be charged $21 to enter between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Low-emissions trucks would pay only $7.

Revenue from the plan would pay for improvements to mass transit, but critics say drivers shouldn't pay to subsidize subways and buses they don't use.