Hochul Makes Case for NYC Congestion Pricing During Oval Office Meeting with Trump
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Meets with President Trump to Discuss Congestion Tolling
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul made the case for Manhattan’s congestion tolling during an Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump after federal officials ordered a halt to the program, a spokesperson for the Democratic governor said.
Discussion of Congestion Pricing and Other Issues
Hochul and Trump met for more than an hour on Friday afternoon and also discussed other issues, including immigration, infrastructure, economic development, energy, offshore wind, and nuclear power, press secretary Avi Small said. He said Hochul presented Trump with a booklet showing the early success of congestion pricing.
Federal Order to Halt Program
The Trump administration on Wednesday ordered a stop to the program, which launched on January 5 with the goals of thinning traffic and funding mass transit by imposing a $9 toll on most vehicles entering Manhattan’s core south of Central Park. Transit officials said the toll has brought modest but measurable traffic reductions.
Lawsuit to Keep Tolls in Place
Despite the federal order, the tolls are remaining in place for now because of a federal lawsuit aiming to keep them alive that was filed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, a state agency that runs public transit in New York City. Hochul said the tolls will continue while the lawsuit is pending.
Trump’s Reaction
However, the Republican president, whose namesake Trump Tower penthouse and other properties are within the congestion zone, already declared victory after Wednesday’s announcement.
“CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED.” Trump said on his social networking site, adding, “LONG LIVE THE KING!” The White House later posted an image of Trump wearing a crown in front of the New York skyline.
Hochul’s Response
Hochul immediately fired back.
“New York hasn’t labored under a king in over 250 years,” she said at a news conference at Grand Central Terminal, one of the city’s train hubs. “We sure as hell are not going to start now.”
Ongoing Dispute
The congestion tolling has been divisive in New York, with most opposition coming from suburban commuters or from those living in areas not well-served by the subway system. Advocates say it is an innovative way to speed up traffic and reduce air pollution.
Other Issues at Stake
New York officials and the Trump administration have been at odds over other issues as well. Hochul has criticized the administration and the Justice Department for attempting to drop an alleged corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a lawsuit this month against Hochul and the state’s attorney general over a law that lets people who might not be in the U.S. legally get driver’s licenses, saying it flies in the face of federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Conclusion
The dispute over congestion pricing is just one of the many issues that have put New York officials at odds with the Trump administration. While the program is currently on hold, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has vowed to continue fighting for its implementation.
FAQs
* What is congestion pricing?
+ Congestion pricing is a system that charges a fee to drivers who enter certain areas of Manhattan, such as the core south of Central Park, to reduce traffic and fund mass transit.
* Why was the program ordered to halt?
+ The Trump administration ordered the program to halt, citing concerns that it was a “slap in the face to working-class Americans and small business owners.”
* Will the tolls remain in place?
+ Yes, the tolls will remain in place for now due to a federal lawsuit filed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to keep them alive pending the outcome of the case.
* What are the benefits of congestion pricing?
+ Congestion pricing aims to reduce traffic congestion, speed up traffic, and fund mass transit. It has also been shown to reduce air pollution.
