NEW YORK, NY March 31, 2008 —The state Senate passed a revised version of a congestion pricing bill during this weekend's budget negotiations.

It would require the Port Authority to contribute $1 billion to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's five-year capital plan.

The bill would also require that low-income New Yorkers who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit get reimbursed for the congestion pricing fee.

And it would exempt anyone with a handicap license plate or a New York City handicapped tag from paying the fee. The changes are an effort to address the concerns of opponents of congestion pricing.

The City Council's approval of the plan would pave the way for the state Legislature to act.

Assemblyman Richard Brodsky remains critical of the plan, saying that it unfairly taxes people in the outer boroughs.