FOR NEWS, contact Crain’s Insider is available Tuesday editor Anne Michaud at THE CRAIN’S through Friday by 6:00 a.m. (212) 210-0267 or For subscription information or [email protected] problems, call (888) 909-9111. Associate editor Copyright 2007. Erik Engquist at Reproduction in any form is (212) 210-0745 or prohibited. A product of Crain’s [email protected] INSIDER Business. A daily newsletter on government action of importance to business

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

TODAY’S NEWS Gottfried endorses congestion-pricing plan ICIP CUTBACKS The city Economic Development Corp. is Senior Assemblyman Dick Gottfried becomes the third major politi- keeping mum on its revamping of the Indus- Gottfried has decided to back Mayor Mike cian to endorse the plan, after City Coun- trial and Commercial Incentive Program be- Bloomberg’s PlaNYC 2030, complete with cilman David Yassky and Senate Democ- cause the reforms will be unpopular with de- the controversial congestion-pricing ratic Leader Malcolm Smith. City Hall velopers, insiders say. ICIP, which expires piece. “The pricing plan is enormously im- insiders say that Bloomberg decided June 30 if not renewed by the state Legisla- portant,” Gottfried says. Without it, he against asking politicians for their impri- ture, provides a property tax break for up to says, Manhattan’s growth potential will be matur—another change from football stadi- 25 years for industrial and commercial build- severely limited by auto traffic. um days—and is hoping that other leaders ings that are constructed or improved. The Gottfried’s endorsement is notable be- will rise to support his plan on their own. Bloomberg administration feels a number of cause he was one of the mayor’s fiercest Congestion pricing would involve projects that received ICIP benefits would opponents in the West Side stadium bat- charging cars $8 and trucks $21 for driv- have been undertaken even without tax tle. Also, speculation is growing that As- ing in Manhattan below 86th Street. breaks, sources say. The city’s reform pro- sembly Speaker Shelly Silver, a longtime Meanwhile, lobbyists Brian Meara and posal is being reviewed by Assembly Speak- Gottfried ally, opposes congestion pricing. Kenn Redditt have signed on with anti- er Shelly Silver. The mayor’s and speaker’s Silver has not made a public statement. congestion pricing group Keep NYC Con- offices declined to comment further. Gottfried is hoping the mayor will gestion Tax Free. Redditt is a former coun- make small changes to the pricing plan, sel to Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno. REPUBLICAN ENDORSED such as exempting people who must Lobbyists James Featherstonhaugh and In endorsing Republican Greg Camp for drive for medical reasons and whose in- the Parkside Group also represent clients an Assembly seat, good- come is below a certain level. opposed to the idea. government group Citizens Union hinted that Democrat ’s ties to the politi- cal establishment make him less suited to June 30. According to an e-mail sent to sup- AT A GLANCE reform Albany. The endorsement won’t sig- porters, Giuliani will spend the July 20 nificantly boost Camp’s slim chances in the weekend with supporters from around the DOCTOROFF TO SPEAK: Deputy Mayor Dan largely Democratic district, but could pres- country, supplying campaign updates, polit- Doctoroff is scheduled to speak about sure Kellner to support reforms if he suc- ical briefings, golf and summer fun. In line PlaNYC 2030 at Citizens Union’s annual ceeds Pete Grannis, who joined the Spitzer with other presidential campaigns that have meeting Tuesday, June 12, at 5:30 p.m. at administration. The election is June 5. given fund-raisers cute names tied to their Weil Gotshal & Manges, 767 Fifth Ave., level of support—think President George 25th floor. A $30 contribution, which in- RUDY’S TEAM Bush’s Rangers and Sen. Hillary Clinton’s cludes membership, is suggested. RSVP to Team Giuliani will hold a weekend of fun HillRaisers—Giuliani is employing baseball [email protected] or (212) 227-0342, events in New York to thank contributors metaphors: Pitchers, Sluggers, All-Stars, ext. 39. who raise $25,000 for the campaign by MVPs and more. Comments? [email protected]

Con Edison Energy News: New York is growing, and that means we are using more energy to power all the computers, appliances, lights, cell phones, and the other necessities we use every day. Con Edison is investing $7.5 billion over the next five years in substations, more than 11,000 miles of new cable and other improvements so the power is there when you want it. Learn more about what we're doing at www.conEd.com. To report a service problem, please call 1-800-75-CONED or visit us online.

ON IT www.conEd.com