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Bloomberg Makes Push For Cuomo To Sign Livery Cab Street Hail Bill

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg is urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign the bill that would allow livery drivers to pick up street hails, stressing it would bring in a lot of money for the city in these tough times.

"The tax revenues from selling more medallions would be something like a billion dollars into the city's budget -- that will pay for an awful lot of teachers and cops and firefighters," Bloomberg said.

The mayor said he thinks "we'll get this done."  But earlier this week, Cuomo said support for the bill "appears to be dissipating" and the more times goes on, the more concerns are raised, according to the governor.

1010 WINS' Stan Brooks Reports From City Hall

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Bloomberg went on to say the measure would provide taxi service for four and a half boroughs that don't have any.

"Just think about a billion dollars toward meeting the expenses of this city without costing the taxpayers one penny -- not one penny," Bloomberg said. "Sounds like a win-win for everybody."

Bloomberg also thanked members of the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus for urging Cuomo to sign the bill into law.

"These guys understand just how serious it is to have communities that just do not have taxi service," he said.

Stay tuned.  The meter is running.

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