Congestion Pricing Campaign Ratchets Up

The campaign to pass Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing proposal ratcheted up yesterday as supporters rallied in Times Square and a business lobby announced a mailing campaign in favor of the initiative.

Over 100 people gathered for the rally, calling on state lawmakers — who are on summer recess — to return to Albany and pass legislation on the plan.

"We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to take a step that really will make this city better for generations to come," Mayor Bloomberg said.

A business group that supports the plan, Partnership for New York City, said it was mailing 350,000 fliers to city residents urging them to put pressure on Albany. The flier shows a young girl squeezing an asthma inhaler alongside text that reads, "She cannot hold her breath waiting for Albany to act."