Thanks to a report released on Dec. 12 by the Independent Budget Office, we now know what sensible New Yorkers have been saying all along: the mayor's congestion pricing plan imposes an undue burden on the middle class. The IBO report revealed that the plan would disproportionably affect middle-class people who live in the outer boroughs and make an average of $51,021.

In another report released that same day, the California-based Milken Institute ranked New York state first in the nation as the most expensive place to conduct business due to the high cost of utilities and real estate. With the Metropolitan Transportation Authority threatening to punish monthly commuters with a fare hike, New Yorkers are running out of options.

Of all the areas which would be negatively impacted by congestion pricing, a projected 45 percent of motorists are from the outer boroughs alone, and nine percent come from the Bronx. Even more significant is the fact that about 20 percent of those commuters are firefighters, law enforcement and educators.

These individuals make indispensable contributions to our wellbeing and safety and deserve the institutional support they need to do their jobs. How can we expect to sustain these professions and their impact on our communities if we create systems that chip away at them? We will lose the middleclass bulwarks, like Riverdale, if we make it impossible to maintain a decent quality of life.

New York is known for its characteristic interconnectedness, drawing broad swaths of the community together into a melting pot of diversity. It's middle-class people like Riverdale families who both contribute to and depend upon the services available throughout the city that make New York a model metropolis.

Congestion pricing threatens to cut into the very heart which defines the culture of this city. Instead of resorting to drastic measures, we should explore better utilizing the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) program to reward car-pooling with lower toll pricing. In addition, let's enhance public transportation options by giving Riverdalians a real alternative to keep them off the roads.

It is imperative that Riverdale remains a viable option for the minions of middle-class people who still expect to live in New York and be able to provide shelter, education and security for their families. Congestion pricing isn't a solution: it's another tax on an already overburdened middle class.

Jeff Klein represents the 34th state Senate district.

Point of view is an occasional column open to all readers.