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It is astounding that there is actually a debate going on in the city about whether congestion pricing is good for the middle and lower classes. Yes the fee is harder for them to absorb, but the overwhelming benefits are all to the middle and lower classes. Since this is hard for people to grasp what with the usual pol pin heads scrambling to score petty points rather than help inspire and lead their constituents, Drum Major Institute has put together a fine report (pdf) explaining why congestion pricing is so good for the middle class.

Here are the main points from the report. Please forward to Anthony Weiner so he will stop whining.

The overwhelming majority of middle-class New Yorkers rely on public transportation or drive to work in locations outside the Manhattan central business districts, so they will not pay the congestion charge, but will benefit from the resources it generates for public transit and reduced traffic throughout the region.

Getting cars off the streets will improve the health of middle-class New Yorkers;

Congestion pricing will funnel hundreds of millions of dollars per year to transit improvements in the neighborhoods of New York’s current and aspiring middle class;

Middle-class New Yorkers are invested in the long-term health of the city – and the planet – and so recognize that we must take action to reduce global warming;

Reducing congestion will boost New York’s economy, a prerequisite for middle-class prosperity;

Congestion pricing will improve the quality of life for New York’s middle class by reducing thru traffic and street noise in middle-class neighborhoods;

Because their time is money, small business owners are the least able to afford sitting in traffic, and will see productivity benefits from the reduced congestion;

By reducing delays, congestion pricing will enable middle-class New Yorkers to spend less time sitting in traffic, and more time with their families; and

Like all New Yorkers, the city’s middle class relies on the high quality emergency services they pay taxes for. Congestion pricing will help to ensure assistance arrives quickly.