It’s a rare sight when an elected official makes a decision that somehow manages to annoy everyone in all quadrants of the political spectrum.
First, Hochul took it upon herself to quickly quash the MTA’s congestion pricing plan, a decision that, predictably, angered the most liberal New York City residents to the most conservative suburbanites the state has to offer.
The first problem was her sharp turnaround just days before Albany’s legislative session ended. The plan had her support for months and was set to take effect later this summer. But Hochul likely stuck her finger in the air and sensed political headwinds are not blowing in a favorable direction for Democrats ahead of November, and quickly balked at the congestion tax.
New York City and MTA officials alike were shocked at the about-face move, while New York City residents and commuters expressed deep concern for the integrity of their infrastructure. Many fear that without the expected revenue generated by the now-indefinitely-postponed congestion tax, subways will fall apart and NYC’s mass transit system will be kneecapped until further notice.
Meanwhile, Hochul’s dissenters found her second thoughts disingenuous and almost intentionally misleading, especially in a last-minute move to score political points with voters who continue to sour on her and the Democratic brand altogether. They’re not taking her desperate attempt to appeal to the working-class commuters seriously, and if there’s one thing voters don’t like, it’s being pandered to.
But what’s really amazing is that nearly everyone on all edges of the political spectrum seem to be in agreement that this is a cheap stalling tactic ahead of Election Day. Democrats can’t stand she’ll possibly let the mass transit system deteriorate – not that the MTA hasn’t acted fiscally responsible or anything – to score quick Election Day points, while Republicans can smell the pandering from a mile away, knowing full well that the congestion plan will be back on the docket after November.
In terms of congestion pricing, fare seems foul and foul seems fare.
Hochul’s second 180 comes in the form of banning face coverings on subway systems. Masks were always banned on the subways since the 1800s, as protestors even then would cower behind them to hide their identities while attempting intimidation tactics or committing acts of protest outside the tolerable realm of political participation.
After lagging far behind the nation in removing masks for New Yorkers, most notably schoolchildren, Hochul now sees the value in banning the face coverings in subways to hopefully curb the rises in anti-semitic attacks and rhetoric, and hopefully, curb subway violence altogether.
We’re not sure if it will have the desired outcome, but we actually do support this initiative. Protest is a right granted to all Americans under the Bill of Rights. We’re wary of recent targeting of Americans by government agencies simply for attending protests or rallies, but overall, if you have to hide your identity, then there’s probably a good reason you don’t want to be seen, or you’re likely considering acts punishable by law.
And at this point, if you’re still wearing a mask to shield yourself from COVID, that’s your prerogative, but we’ve got a Mario Cuomo Bridge to sell you.
It takes true talent and political tact to please everyone on all sides of the aisle, and even then, there will still be a decently-sized group of people who can’t stand such an elected official anyway. But it’s almost more impressive that one can unite an entire state against him or herself with one rash decision.
