With assistance from Shawn Ness
Gov. Kathy Hochul has decided to halt congestion pricing.
In a video message this morning, the governor announced to New Yorkers that she has made the tough choice to “indefinitely pause the program.”
This surprising move has left political insiders statewide shocked and has upset the politicians and advocacy organizations that have dedicated over a decade to promoting the controversial plan.
Today’s revelation, initially disclosed by POLITICO, sheds light on Hochul’s governing style. At various points in her career, she has abruptly abandoned policies she once championed under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration.
For instance, remember cap and invest? Hochul’s administration proposed changes to the Cuomo-era climate law to reduce costs during last year’s late budget negotiations. However, she retreated after facing opposition from environmental groups and lawmakers. Now, her administration is considering a price limit on cap and invest that may hinder the state from achieving its goals without additional significant policies.
What about bail reform? During her reelection campaign against former Rep. Lee Zeldin, she faced criticism for Cuomo-era policies. Only in the final days of her campaign did she pivot to focus on crime as a last-minute strategy.
Today’s announcement follows a similar pattern. State lawmakers and staff are preparing to leave Albany and return to their districts for the year’s final session. Despite dozens of congestion pricing cameras already being installed across Manhattan, the program was on the brink of implementation after being proposed in 2007.
“This is a sudden new development for us, so I’m unsure of the governor’s intentions,” Deputy Majority Leader Sen. Mike Gianaris remarked when asked about how the state will compensate for the anticipated congestion pricing revenue.
Now, the Legislature must determine how to address the estimated $1 billion earmarked in congestion pricing revenue. Lawmakers are considering two options: tapping into the state’s “rainy day fund” or generating revenue from the MTA through a business or payroll tax.
Even as congestion pricing was nearing rollout, legal battles were being waged to dismantle it. In a legal filing obtained by POLITICO today, the MTA informed the court that such fights are no longer necessary.
Hochul cited fiscal concerns as the reason for her reversal, stating today: “A $15 charge may not be significant to some, but it can strain the budget of a working- or middle-class household.”
She added: “To those who doubt my motives, I make decisions based on one principle: What is best for New Yorkers?”
POLITICO previously reported on a different motivation. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and others were concerned that congestion pricing could harm Democrats’ chances of securing swing seats in New York, where party losses shifted power to the GOP two years ago. (Hochul’s announcement came shortly after that story was published late Tuesday night.)
Recall that Hochul spoke enthusiastically about congestion pricing just before this year’s legislative session began: “From time to time, leaders must envision a better future, be bold in implementation, and execution,” she declared at a pro-congestion pricing rally in December. — Jason Beeferman
THE ASSEMBLY’S SLOW PACE: This week, advocates for various causes have expressed concerns over the limited time available for the Assembly to vote on their bills before adjourning. With 150 members in the chamber compared to 61 in the Senate, and a slower process for voting, the Assembly’s pace is notably slower.
The statistics confirm this slow speed. Despite adjourning late at 11:37 p.m. on Monday and 10:49 p.m. on Tuesday, the Assembly only passed 137 bills — a rate of nine per hour in session. In contrast, the Senate finished earlier both days and managed to pass 295 bills — a rate of 59 per hour. — Bill Mahoney
BRAKING THE LAW: Mayor Eric Adams announced today plans to crack down on illegal e-bike and motorbike use, culminating in the destruction of several vehicles at a closed Staten Island landfill.
This week, the NYPD initiated an enforcement blitz against unregistered vehicles, citing their involvement in robberies and other crimes across the city.
“These mopeds and scooters are being used in … commission of crimes,” Adams stated. “We’ve also seen criminals using them to ride around and snatch property such as cell phones, jewelries, and wallets off of New Yorkers.”
E-bike-assisted crimes have surged over the past two years.
For instance, in the first five months of this year, the number of robbery patterns increased nearly eightfold compared to the same period in 2022, with complaints rising tenfold.
Just two days ago in Corona, Queens, two police officers were shot during a crackdown on an individual riding an unregistered scooter with a loaded gun, according to NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell.
“Within hours, we seized 74 bikes, made numerous arrests, and issued numerous summonses,” he revealed during Wednesday’s announcement.
The enforcement strategy, which includes checkpoints at tunnels and bridges and the deployment of community response teams, aims to target criminals rather than delivery workers who frequently use these bikes.
“The main culprits are not honest delivery workers,” Adams emphasized, urging cooperation from companies that sell unregistered vehicles. “Use them legally, and the police department supports you.” Adams stated. — Jillian Peprah-Frimpong
— ALBANY OPTS IN: Albany County has chosen to participate in the good cause eviction program, although Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan has yet to sign the bill. The law would limit rent increases to a maximum of 10 percent and guarantee lease renewals for tenants with no issues. (State of Politics)
— PAID PARENTAL LEAVE: Hochul’s administration has reached an agreement with the Police Benevolent Association to provide its members with 12 weeks of paid parental leave and annual salary increases. The contract will span three years. (Times Union)
— BRAGG SAYS NO TO ENDING GAG ORDER: Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg believes it is not yet time to lift the gag order imposed on Donald Trump during his hush money criminal trial. His team has sent a letter to Justice Juan Merchan opposing Trump’s request to lift the order. (Newsday )
Missed this morning’s New York Playbook? Read it here.
