There Is No Future In Bloomberg’s Dreaming

Gin up a controversy and lash out when people question it:

Mayor Bloomberg is stepping up the pressure in his push to convince state and city lawmakers to approve his congestion pricing plan before a federal deadline expires and the city loses its chance to receive $354 million in funding for the program.

Calling recent attempts in Albany to try to extend the deadline by a week “shenanigans,” the mayor is directly appealing to state and city lawmakers to make a decision on congestion pricing quickly.

“Either you’re going to do it or you’re not. And if they’re not, then I think we don’t have a future,” Mr. Bloomberg said.

During a speech on congestion pricing, he attacked an opponent of the plan, Rep. Anthony Weiner of Queens, who has argued that the federal government would send less money to the city if it generated its own revenue through congestion pricing. The mayor described Mr. Weiner’s warnings as “insanity.”

“I have nothing against any one congressman, but that is one of the stupider things I’ve ever heard said. Forget the fact that he’s one of the congressmen who’s supposed to get the money for us, the Democrats control — his party — controls Congress.” Mr. Bloomberg said, raising his voice.