MID-HUDSON – Several Orange and Sullivan County state legislators have joined a lawsuit opposing New York City congestion pricing set to go into effect later this year in Manhattan.
It would impose an additional fee to drive south of 60th Street, except for the FDR and West Street.
Senator James Skoufis (D, Cornwall), Senator Rob Rolison (R, Poughkeepsie), Assemblyman Chris Eachus (D, New Windsor), Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R, Deerpark), Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D, Forestburgh), and Assemblyman Brian Maher (R, Montgomery) are all expressing their opposition to the plan.
Gunther said it may very well chase essential workers from the Mid-Hudson away from jobs in the Big Apple and can have an even more devastating effect on the state as a whole.
“The population of New York State has gone down and down and down. If we keep doing this, the middle class in middle class America, people are leaving the State of New York. We have to protect the middle class,” she said.
Brabenec said, “Many residents from my district commute to New York City for work daily, and the congestion pricing could disproportionately burden them with additional commuting costs. I am concerned that this measure could place an undue financial strain on the hardworking individuals I represent, affecting their daily lives and economic well-being. By joining my colleagues in the lawsuit brought by the United Federation of Teachers, I aim to fight for the interests of my constituents and ensure that any MTA policies consider the circumstances of those living in Orange and Rockland Counties.”
Officials from the City of New York maintain congestion pricing will reduce traffic and travel time and improve air quality.
