Hempstead Town Officials Oppose Hochul's Congestion Pricing Plan

HEMPSTEAD, NY — After an indefinite pause for congestion pricing in New York City, Gov. Hochul appears ready to put the plan back in motion.

Hochul told Politico at the Democratic National Convention this week that the announcement is likely to happen "by the end of the year, early next year as we get the Legislature on board."

She decided to move forward after putting the brakes in June. Congestion pricing charges $15 per driver to enter below 60th Street.

However, Town of Hempstead officials remain in opposition.

"Governor Kathy Hochul has finally admitted that her faux ‘pause’ on congestion pricing was merely a delay until after the election because Hochul knows that this new tax on commuters being advanced by Democrats is deeply unpopular on Long Island," said Congressman D’Esposito.

Supervisor Don Clavin said: "The Governor’s pausing of congestion pricing until after the November elections is nothing more than a political stunt, as it is has been widely reported that many of her allies have expressed serious concerns that this controversial policy could hurt their campaigns."

"Regardless of any rumors coming from unnamed sources, Governor Hochul’s position has not changed and congestion pricing continues to be paused indefinitely. Like the majority of New Yorkers, Governor Hochul believes a $15 daily toll is just too much for working people trying to get by in today’s economy. That’s why, as the Governor has repeatedly said in public, she is exploring multiple options with legislative leaders to fund transit as the pause continues," John Lindsay, a spokesperson for Gov. Hochul, said.

"Forcing hardworking commuters to pay a hefty fee just to get to work, school, or medical appointments in lower Manhattan is not only misguided, but also unjust," D'Esposito added.