New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today that New York City’s congestion pricing plan – in which cars driving south of 60th Street in Manhattan are tolled to help fund the Metropolitan Transit Authority – will be paused “indefinitely.”
The news drew plaudits from several New Jersey politicians who have long been implacable foes of congestion pricing, among them Gov. Phil Murphy and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff).
“After a five year fight, New York appears to have done right by hardworking Jersey families and backed off their outrageous Congestion Tax,” Gottheimer said. “I want to thank Governor Hochul, Governor Murphy, Fort Lee Mayor Sokolich, all involved elected officials, and especially the tireless advocates who focused on the key facts: The Congestion Tax would have caused more traffic and cancer-causing pollution for families in northern Jersey and the outer boroughs. Onto the next fight for Jersey families!”
“I want to thank Governor Hochul for pausing the implementation of congestion pricing in Manhattan’s Central Business District,” Murphy said. “Although we have had a difference of opinion with our colleagues in New York on congestion pricing implementation, we have always had a shared vision for growing our regional economy, investing in infrastructure, protecting our environment, and creating good-paying jobs on both sides of the Hudson River. We fully embrace the notion that the success of Manhattan is inextricably linked to the prosperity of the entire Tri-State Area.”
Murphy and Gottheimer have loudly protested against New York City’s congestion proposals for years, with Murphy going so far as to file a lawsuit last summer arguing that the plan should be nixed for not going through a proper environmental review process.
Two other suburban New Jersey politicians, Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) and Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield), also said today that they were happy to see Hochul back away from the plan.
“As I’ve said from the start, New York and New Jersey should work together to develop a new strategy that fairly invests in public transportation like NJ Transit, reduces pollution in an equitable and effective manner, and bolsters our regional economy – without punishing Garden State commuters and families,” Sherrill said. “That requires real leadership, not stunts or lopsided attacks on New Jersey.”
“I have made it a priority of mine in Congress to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to put a stop to the congestion pricing program that was set to begin this month,” Kean said. “I am glad to hear that Governor Hochul has postponed this program, but the fight is not over. ‘Indefinitely postponed’ is not enough. I will continue to work in Congress until there is a permanent cancellation of congestion pricing.”