PEF Statement on Albany Parking

ALBANY, NY (06/30/2010)(readMedia)-- "The New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) is disappointed state lawmakers have passed the Albany Permit Parking Plan, pandering to a small group of residents while shunning the needs of the general public," said PEF Capital Region Coordinator and Parking Committee Chair, William Wurster.

"We believe the public streets are, and should remain, open to use by all of our citizens. They should not be restricted to use by a small group for any purpose including parking.

"Parking problems exist in Albany as in many cities and this is not a new development. Current residents moved into their residences well aware of the neighborhood conditions. They implicitly accepted the bad and the good of an urban environment, including limited parking. Restricting parking to residents would inconvenience many other citizens and could negatively impact small businesses in the city.

"PEF believes the solution to parking shortages is to create more parking spaces, not to pit one group of citizens against another by rationing the limited space available.

"We are calling on Gov. Paterson to veto this legislation and work with city leaders on creating new parking availability, which is long overdue."

PEF is the state's second-largest state-employee union, representing 58,000 professional, scientific and technical employees of New York State, and other public and private employers.

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