A bipartisan bill has been introduced by New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer to outlaw the first-in-the-nation $15 “congestion” toll to enter Manhattan’s business district south of 60th Street. Malliotakis, a Republican, believes the toll is a cash grab that will hurt commuters and increase traffic and pollution in her district, particularly in minority communities. Gottheimer, a Democrat, agrees with Malliotakis and thinks the toll will cause financial hardship for families in New Jersey and New York. They are taking legal and legislative steps to stop the toll from being implemented.
Gottheimer held a press conference demanding a breakdown of how the MTA estimated that the new Midtown $15 toll would generate $1 billion in revenue, arguing that it would raise triple that amount. He has requested information from the MTA that has been ignored, and along with his New York GOP colleagues, he is seeking a formal subpoena and a hearing where MTA leaders can testify about the congestion tax. In response, an MTA official mocked Gottheimer for his criticism, questioning why he didn’t take public transit instead of being chauffeured to the press conference.
Despite the opposition from politicians and the public, congestion pricing is being implemented due to a state law passed in 2019. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Democrat-controlled legislature supported the law, but only 34% of Democrats support it. Governor Kathy Hochul, Cuomo’s successor, has defended congestion pricing as a way to reduce traffic, improve the environment, and fund mass transit. Despite numerous lawsuits attempting to block it, the toll could be charged as early as June.
The public’s opposition to congestion pricing is evident in a recent Siena College poll, which found that nearly two-thirds of voters in New York City and the state oppose the new Manhattan toll. People from all walks of life are against the toll, highlighting the widespread discontent with the congestion charge. However, the MTA and government officials are pushing ahead with the toll as a way to tackle traffic congestion, reduce pollution, and support public transportation in the city.
The bipartisan efforts by Malliotakis and Gottheimer to outlaw the $15 congestion toll reflect the concerns of many commuters and residents in New York and New Jersey. They believe the toll will have negative impacts on communities, increase traffic and pollution, and cause financial hardship for families. Despite the opposition from both politicians and the public, the toll is set to be implemented in June as part of a broader effort to address traffic congestion, environmental concerns, and fund mass transit in the region. The clash between those in favor of congestion pricing and those against it highlights the ongoing debate surrounding transportation policy and infrastructure funding in the region.
