New York City-area Republicans are calling on President Trump to kill the congestion-pricing plan in midtown Manhattan “once and for all” as a battle over the controversial program winds its way through court. Here’s what you need to know about the Manhattan congestion pricing battle:
The Republican letter campaign
GOP lawmakers rally behind Trump’s opposition:
- House Republican Leadership Chair Elise Stefanik led effort
- Rep. Nick LaLota and five other Republicans signed letter Monday
- Want to shore up political momentum behind Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy
- Duffy moved to cancel program in February over lack of toll-free options
The congestion pricing program
Manhattan toll system launched after delays:
- Charges toll on vehicles entering busy parts of Manhattan
- Launched at start of year after series of delays
- Program was engineered to direct money to fund public transit
- $9 toll on vehicles traveling below 60th Street in Manhattan
Trump’s opposition stance
President celebrated program’s apparent death:
- Trump linked arms with suburban leaders opposing the plan
- “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED”
- Posted declaration on Truth Social in February
- Said program punished drivers from surrounding areas
The court battle
New York officials challenged federal intervention:
- Gov. Kathy Hochul and Metropolitan Transportation Authority sued
- Ending toll would force MTA to find another way to raise $1 billion yearly
- Officials celebrated preliminary injunction in late May
- Injunction blocked Duffy from withdrawing federal funding for local projects
The judge’s ruling
Federal court sided with New York officials:
- U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Liman issued preliminary injunction
- Judge said New York officials showed likelihood of success on merits
- Ruling blocked threats to withdraw federal funding
- Court put stop to Washington threats against program
City officials’ claims
New York says program working as intended:
- Officials cite improved travel times in Manhattan
- Decreased congestion in parts that used to be slow-moving
- MTA Chair Janno Lieber said program “isn’t just surviving, it’s thriving”
- Claims of “less traffic, safer streets, cleaner air, and better transit”
Legal expert assessment
Columbia professor tracks court challenges:
- Michael Gerrard says plan “up and running”
- Program “has survived all of the many court challenges”
- Biden administration DOT had approved the program
- “No strong reason to stop it” according to Gerrard
Republican subway safety concerns
GOP lawmakers cite transit system dangers:
- Say city leaders forcing drivers onto dangerous public transit
- Highlight increase in subway assaults and notable crimes
- Reference riders “being pushed in front of oncoming train cars and burned alive”
- Call Governor Hochul “entirely out of touch with reality”
Duffy’s specific objections
Transportation Secretary targeted toll structure:
- Objected to toll amount based on transit funding needs
- Said amount wasn’t set based on congestion-reducing target
- Department moved to rescind Nov. 21 Value Pricing Pilot Program agreement
- VPPP had authorized the $9 toll for Manhattan below 60th Street
The letter signatories
Seven House Republicans supported Trump position:
- Andrew Garbarino, Nicole Malliotakis, Nicholas Langworthy signed
- Michael Lawler of New York and Thomas Kean Jr. of New Jersey included
- Said program “would unfairly target suburban New York and New Jersey”
- Accused Hochul of “forgoing fiscal responsibility for a quick cash grab”
Read more:
• New York, New Jersey Republicans urge Trump to finish off Manhattan congestion pricing
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