LI Politicians React To Hochul's Congestion Pricing Pause

HEMPSTEAD, NY — Governor Hochul announced on Wednesday she is pausing the congestion pricing plan indefinitely.

"After careful consideration, I have come to the difficult decision that implementing the planned congestion system risks too many unintended consequences for New Yorkers at this time,” Hochul said in a taped video message on social media.

Although Republicans have been against congestion pricing, which would have charged drivers $15 to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street starting on June 30, many are still railing against her reversal.

"This was a poorly conceived program that would do nothing other than hurt middle-class families, damage small businesses, stunt our region’s economic growth and continue Albany’s reckless tax and spend attitude," Hempstead supervisor Don Clavin said.

Hochul said the initiative was enacted during the pre-pandemic period, when commuters were in the office five days a week and crime was at record lows.

"Circumstances have changed and we must respond to the facts on the ground," Hochul said.

However, one Long Island lawmaker said congestion pricing will return after Election Day.

"They didn't invest five years in time, energy and money just because Gov. Hochul woke up one day and thought this was the right thing to do," Rep. Anthony D'Esposito (R-Island Park) told Patch.

D'Esposito said congestion pricing shouldn't have gotten to his point and is "probably the first transparent thing that Gov. Hochul has done as the leader of our state."

Although Arnold Drucker (D-Plainview), the Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader, concurs with Hochul's decision, he added: "While it is important to consider every option at our disposal for bolstering mass transit and protecting our environment, congestion pricing would have resulted in an unacceptably disparate impact upon Nassau County residents if implemented in its current form."

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine called the decision to stall congestion pricing, "great news."

"With inflation making it harder every day for families to make ends meet, levying yet another tax on the backs of the working class is not the answer," Romaine said.