We knew it was coming. She just had to wait until after the election.
Deeply unpopular Governor Kathy Hochul announced yesterday that that the traffic congestion tax she proposed in February--and paused in June--is coming back in January. Hochul, whose latest approval rating is a dismal 34%, will likely lose more support soon.
Hochul dressed the announcement in silver linings: the new base rate for the tax is $9 per day as opposed to $15, a "40% savings". As Long Island Assemblyman Ed Ra drily noted, “You can’t save them money by cutting a toll they weren't already paying."
Many a New Yorker will mark this day as their reason for having left the Democratic Party, The cravenness of this move may become historic.
— Wm. F. B. O'Reilly (@wfbor) November 13, 2024
New York to Revive Congestion Pricing With $9 Toll https://t.co/mxKiBSiOoI
The seven-month pause on the program was seen by politicians and the public alike as temporarily hiding a contentious issue prior to the November elections. Down-ballot Dems worried that Hochul's plan would cause voters to see, and vote, red.
Please follow us on Gab, Minds, Telegram, Rumble, Truth Social, Gettr, Twitter
The ploy seems to have worked: Democrats picked up three House seats after losing five in 2022, a rare bright spot for the party amid a crushing loss nationally. Hochul may be persona non grata among her constituents, but she saved some face within party ranks.
All traffic that proceeds south of 60th St. will be charged:
The funds generated by the tax are slated to complete the 2nd Ave. subway line, build new elevators in several subway stations, and improve signals and tracks in existing lines.
The stink of it all is that Hochul could have simply enforced existing laws to make up for the MTA budget gap. Turnstile jumpers and bus fare evaders cost the city $700 million per year. But instead of pursuing Giuliani/Bloomberg-era law and order--thereby lifting morale among citizens and police--Hochul fobs off the foibles of lawbreakers onto the taxpayers. Again.
Remember this in 2026, when Hochul plans to run for reelection.
