By Congressman Nick LaLota
Governor Hochul’s (D) decision to delay the controversial congestion pricing plan under the guise of lingering COVID-19 concerns is a blatant political maneuver aimed at preserving electoral gains rather than addressing the real needs of New Yorkers. The pandemic ended years ago and using it as an excuse for this delay is disingenuous. The true reason is the upcoming election.
Framing this decision as a response to COVID-19 is a smokescreen that ignores pressing issues affecting New Yorkers. Suggesting that more businesses in New York City be taxed as a consolation for delaying the congestion pricing plan will only exacerbate the challenges of people and businesses returning to the city. If this continues, it won’t just be individuals fleeing the city, but businesses en masse as well.
Long Islanders, who would bear billions of dollars in additional costs annually under the congestion pricing scheme, have long seen this plan for what it is: an opportunistic revenue grab that disproportionately impacts suburban communities. Governor Hochul’s recognition of this opposition underscores the political risk associated with the plan.
Historically, we Long Islanders have been vigilant in holding Albany politicians accountable for anti-suburban policies. At the ballot box in 2010, the backlash against the MTA payroll tax was significant, and in 2022, Long Islanders again expressed their discontent with the disastrous “Bail Reform” policies that compromised public safety and affordability. These instances reflect a consistent pattern of suburban voters rejecting policies that undermine our quality of life.
New Yorkers are not hesitant to return to the city because of the virus; they are hesitant because of rampant crime, blatantly ignored under Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams (D). For the second year in a row, overall crime has been on the rise, including a historic surge in assaults, which neared 28,000 for the first time in New York City’s publicly recorded history. Instances of people being shoved in front of moving trains and active shooters are becoming more frequent. According to a recent Columbia study, there has been an 84% increase in the rate of complaints to the NYPD Transit Bureau per rider, including a 99% increase in the rate of complaints for assault and a 125% increase in the rate of complaints for harassment.
Rather than simply delaying the congestion pricing plan, Governor Hochul and the Democrat majorities in our state legislature should abandon it altogether. The focus should shift towards policies that enhance public safety and reduce the cost of living for working families. Implementing an unpopular and ineffective congestion pricing plan will only impose additional financial burdens on businesses and consumers while ignoring the critical issue of public safety.
Governor Hochul needs to address the real problems driving people away from New York City and act immediately on those issues. New York families deserve honest and effective leadership that will tackle crime and rising costs head-on, creating a safe, thriving environment for all. The time for politically motivated decisions is over; it’s time for genuine commitment to the welfare and safety of New Yorkers.
While the delay in congestion pricing is a step in the right direction, it falls short of addressing the fundamental flaws in the policy.
Abandoning the plan entirely would be a more prudent course of action, reflecting a commitment to the well-being of all New Yorkers, particularly those in suburban communities. The path forward should prioritize safety and affordability, ensuring that policies are designed with the best interests of all residents in mind.
Congressman Nick LaLota is a lifelong Long Islander and has represented New York’s First Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives since 2023.
