NEW YORK — A gaggle led by New York Metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander says it’s taking motion to combat Gov. Kathy Hochul’s sudden pause of congestion pricing.
Lander introduced Wednesday that he and fellow advocates are contemplating all authorized avenues to save lots of the tolling program.
“The governor’s sudden and doubtlessly unlawful reversal wronged a number of New Yorkers who’ve a proper to what was long-promised to all of New York — a world-class mass transit system that works for everybody,” Lander stated.
Sources advised CBS New York that Lander and transit rights teams are getting ready their case and seeing if Hochul legally has the authority to place a pause on such a large-scale program, simply days earlier than it was supposed to start out.
“They’re going attempt to argue legislative precedent. They’re going to argue the sanctity of the funding of the MTA and in addition the violation of the state’s dedication to zero-carbon footprints,” Kean College Provost David Birdsell stated. “The argument from the environmentalist advocates, individuals who assist congestion pricing, is that this was so tough to recover from the end line to start with that placing it again to sq. one is successfully killing it.”
Lander stated those that stand to lose essentially the most from congestion pricing not being enacted are riders with disabilities who’re depending on wanted upgrades to stations, residents and companies contained in the Central Enterprise District impacted by excessive volumes of visitors, and MTA board members who voted for this system to be able to fulfill the company’s Capital Program.
“To enterprise leaders and individuals who breathe the air of New York Metropolis, Gov. Hochul took a disastrously incorrect flip, so we’re right here at present to steer our shared future again on observe,” Lander stated.
The rising pushback comes after the governor made the surprising announcement just a week ago and said the reason for moving the start date back is because she felt people were not financially ready for it. The tolling program would’ve been enacted on June 30.
Gov. Hochul paused congestion pricing indefinitely
Hochul raised issues in regards to the metropolis’s financial restoration, saying congestion pricing was enacted earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic, when staff have been within the workplace 5 days per week, crime was down and tourism was booming.
“After cautious consideration, I’ve come to the tough resolution that implementing the deliberate congestion pricing system dangers too many unintended penalties for New Yorkers presently. For that motive, I’ve directed the MTA to indefinitely pause this system,” the governor stated in a video statement.
Sources advised CBS New York’s political reporter Marcia Kramer that Home Minority Chief Hakim Jefferies reportedly additionally raised issues the unpopular plan would make it harder for Democrats to win again management of Congress.
Whatever the underlying causes for Hochul’s resolution, it came as a total shock to many, particularly members of the MTA board.
What occurs to MTA initiatives with out congestion pricing?
The Legislature ended its session final week however did not give you a solution to elevate cash for the MTA. CEO Janno Lieber stated Wednesday the MTA is ready to make tough selections.
“The place we’re centered proper now’s, how will we retool, reprioritize and shrink the Capital Program to take care of the cash we all know we now have,” Lieber stated. “There’s $28.5 billion of price left on this Capital Program and we now have $13 billion to do it. So we now have to make some exhausting selections and that is what I am spending my time on now.”
Lieber stated Monday that modernization projects like electric buses, accessible stations and new signals are on the so-called “deprioritized list.”
“Backside line, this section of the MTA’s work is a big problem, and I’ve an excellent staff that’s going to be laser-focused on engaged on this,” Lieber stated. “It could really feel proper now that issues are a bit of loopy and even there is a disaster, however we have to keep centered in order that we are able to maximize the scenario for our riders. They’re our focus proper now. That is the place our heads are at.”
The MTA board will meet on June 26 to resolve what to do about congestion pricing. Lieber stated he isn’t giving up on the plan, however added there are instant issues within the meantime, like deciding which projects are still affordable, if layoffs might be vital, and if the MTA’s credit standing might be impacted.
