Civic Leadership Program Examines How Elections Influence the Built Environment

On December 3, the AIANY Civic Leadership Program (CLP) hosted their culminating event for the 2024 cohort, a deep dive into the policymaking process using the recent and emerging developments around congestion pricing as a case study. The program incorporated expert analysis, audience participation, and actionable next steps on how changes in administrations impact the built environment in the long term. Speakers included Brian Fritsch, Associate Director of Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC); Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of Open Plans; Rachel Weinberger, Ph.D., Director of Research Strategy and Peter W. Herman Chair for Transportation at Regional Plan Association (RPA); and Jean Ryan, President of Disabled in Action of Metropolitan New York. In case you missed last night’s program, the key takeaways are as follows: 

• Transit is the best way to move people around the region

• • One train line moves the same number of people as eight lanes of cars. Supporting the MTA is the most effective way to have a strong transit system. 

• The benefits of Congestion Pricing need to be seen right away—drivers need to see less traffic, buses need to move faster, and streets need to be nicer and more livable

• • These improvements are all interconnected: by getting people out of cars and on to buses it will reduce traffic and enable faster, more reliable buses, and livable streets have proven economic benefits. 

• Working as part of a coalition enables you to take a variety of response strategies: research, rallies, op-eds, and behind-the-scenes conversations  

• • Different groups fill in various gaps enabling a comprehensive advocacy approach.

• • It takes a whole lot of people working from all sides to get something movement, and it takes a tremendous amount of time, resources, and education to get a law like Congestion Pricing passed.

• Communication for a complicated and nuanced policy is challenging  

• • Utilizing economic impact analysis is a compelling tool to underscore broad impact—the effect of Hochul’s pause was the loss of 100,00 jobs around the state because the MTA would not have the funds to meet their targets on accessible stations, electric buses, and new trains.  

• • Know your audience: talking about the holistic benefits of the program—reduced congestion and improved air quality—work for some groups, and diving in on the revenue generated for the MTA capital program is better suited for other groups depending on their interests.

• Lawsuits are a tool in your back pocket  

• • DIA has participated in four lawsuits against the MTA, of which three have been settled (the remaining lawsuit is regarding elevator maintenance).

• • Transportation is a key part of working life, so it is critical that people with mobility disabilities can effectively get around the city.

• • Lawsuits are always a long process, so it requires diligent and tireless work to keep up momentum and move issues forward step by step—using meetings with government officials, public testimony, op-eds, rallies, and lawsuits to push your initiative forward.

• • In 2022, the accessibility class action lawsuit combined their state and federal cases and settled with the MTA, who committed to equipping 95% of subway stations with elevators and ramps by 2055. DIA was made stronger by working together with other groups.

• • When Governor Hochul decided the pause Congestion Pricing days before it was set to be turned on, the question was if the pause was out of compliance with the law because state law required Congestion Pricing. The State Attorney General refused to defend the governor from the advocates lawsuit that the governor was breaking the law by pausing the program. 

• Big Picture Advocacy Lessons Learned 

• • Relationship building is essential and takes time. 

• • Hold your fire until you really need it. Political capital is a valuable asset. 

• • You do not need to be an expert to get involved and make a difference.  

• • Don’t get distracted and don’t take the bait.  

• • The “other side” has a point of view and it’s important to find common ground. Winds change quickly and frequently, so be nimble.