HUDSON VALLEY- Commuters from Mahopac to Middletown were relieved when Governor Kathy Hochul announced this week that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s much-criticized congestion pricing plan has been “paused” indefinitely.
Forget about a pause: Hudson Valley lawmakers hope that the plan is eventually scrapped altogether.
Congestion pricing was set to go into effect on June 30th and would have charged a $15 fee for most drivers entering the busiest part of Manhattan, south of 60th Street during daytime hours (5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends), and $3.75 overnight.
“We must remain vigilant in our advocacy and stand united both Republicans and Democrats working together, to ensure that after the November election, the Governor does not try to enact the wildly unpopular and harmful policy,” Assemblyman Brian Maher (R, Walden) said.
“I was proud to be one of the many voices in opposition to this asinine idea,” added Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R, Deerpark). “I hope this is the last time we ever have to talk about congestion pricing.”
Congestion pricing was introduced via a law passed by the Legislature in 2019 and signed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo. The legislation required the program to generate at least $1 billion annually for the MTA’s capital program, including 80 percent allocated for the agency’s subway and bus network. The other 20 percent would be budgeted for the MTA’s two commuter railroads two commuter railroads, Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road.
The MTA now needs the Legislature to approve another revenue source to replace the money that was supposed to come from congestion pricing. Hochul has proposed a tax on city businesses to fill the gap, which has drawn criticism.
State lawmakers are now considering a bill that would commit $1 billion to the MTA.
Congestion pricing also faces several lawsuits from its opponents. State Senators James Skoufis (D, Cornwall) and Rob Rolison (R, Poughkeepsie) are parties to one of the federal lawsuits.
“Congestion pricing is a tax on working and middle-class Hudson Valley residents,” Rolison said. “It is unfair, unjust, and unaffordable. This ill-advised policy must not be allowed to return after the November elections when it could be more politically palatable. Governor Hochul: don’t just postpone the congestion tax – cancel it.”
