It was thought that the mayor might use the report as political cover to push through unpopular plans.

With just weeks to go before it kicks in, the unpopular plan to reduce traffic and improve public transportation carries with it several large question marks.

Robert Walpole's unpopular plan to introduce an excise to replace tariffs on wine and tobacco rocks his government.

Ahead of the G8 summit, it attacked his handling of domestic issues including an unpopular medical plan and called for a snap election or his resignation.

"This is a very, very unpopular plan within the congregation," he said.

In the short term, the move will allow Mr. McGreevey to take credit for blocking an unpopular plan to increase taxes.

Just last year, her center-right coalition forced through an unpopular plan to extend the life of nuclear power plants, with the last to close in 2036.

Later, when Boston was ordered to accept busing to end school segregation, The Globe strongly supported the unpopular plan.

The Liberals also promised cuts, focusing on the unpopular and expensive plan to buy new military helicopters to replace the aging Sea Kings.

The potential impact on middle-class patients has made Mr. Pataki's plan unpopular in Albany, even among some of his fellow Republicans.