With the MTA’s upcoming five-year capital plan facing an estimated $10-15 billion hole, the silence from New York State’s elected officials has been deafening. Given that it is an election year for state senators, assembly members and Governor Andrew Cuomo, perhaps this is to be expected. For the most part, all debate is expected to be left until after the next election. But it was refreshing to hear the beginning of the conversation kick off last week.

After three years of quietly listening, shopping the proposal around, tweaking and gaining supporters, Move NY formally launched a draft plan at a forum last Friday that would better balance the tolling system around Manhattan. During the past three years, Move NY’s Alex Matthiessen has actively tried to avoid the spotlight in an attempt to make sure to avoid death-by-media (mis)conceptions. He also made it clear on Friday that he is not looking for people to choose a side yet, telling Streetsblog, “We are not looking for Mayor de Blasio or Governor Cuomo to take a position on this issue.” Of course, a negative word from either of these players could be the kiss of death to the nascent effort.

It appears the strategy has worked, at least for now. All media mentions that we could find leaned towards the positive. There were even supportive quotes from community leaders who had been opposed to previous tolling plans:

• Mayor de Blasio, a former opponent of Bloomberg’s plan: “There’s some interesting and innovative ideas in it.”
• Kevin Law, of the Long Island Association, Long Island’s biggest business group, “called the plan more ‘palatable’ than Bloomberg’s version or a commuter tax.”
• John Corlett, chair of AAA NYS legislative committee: “For the first time in a long time we’re talking about distinct benefits for our members, including toll reductions […] When’s the last time you heard of a toll reduction? And capital improvements in roads and bridges, which we know are a mess.”
• Staten Island Chamber of Commerce President, Linda Baran: “Sam’s plan basically helps the outer boroughs.”
• Kendra Hems, president of the New York State Motor Truck Association supports the idea of keeping trucks off of local streets, and offered a connection to Vision Zero: “We know that the communities don’t want us there […] truthfully, our drivers would rather operate in areas with less pedestrian and bicycle traffic, as well.”

Hopefully the supportive voices will continue to speak up as New York State’s elected officials begin to debate how to fund the MTA’s upcoming capital program.