On Thursday, just one week after the election, Governor Hochul, who had previously wanted to indefinitely postpone New York City’s congestion pricing plan, changed her mind and announced the implementation of the plan. On the same day, a rally opposing the congestion pricing plan, initiated by Republican legislators in New York State and supported by Democratic representatives, took place in front of City Hall.
Elected officials and residents from various districts in New York expressed that congestion pricing is unfair to everyone and should be stopped immediately.
Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt presided over the rally. He remarked that in the spring, the Governor halted congestion pricing, stating that “New Yorkers cannot afford it.” However, just one week after the election, the Governor now wants to reintroduce congestion pricing.
“This has nothing to do with policy, nothing to do with people, nothing to do with congestion pricing. It’s purely political – this is where the State Democratic Party stands. They stopped this policy before to help them get through the election, fearing it would hurt State Democratic candidates. Now that the election is over, they either think New Yorkers are too naive, or suddenly don’t care about affordability and inflation. It’s truly shameful that the Governor wants to resume this plan just a week after the election,” Ortt stated.
Senator Rob Rolison, representing the Hudson Valley district, including Orange, Newburgh, Newbery, Montgomery, Putnam, and Phillips Town, voiced concerns over the impact of congestion pricing on residents who rely on driving, particularly along the Hudson River.
“We have many people who cannot take the train to get where they need to go, they have to drive themselves, just like along the Hudson Line, so congestion pricing significantly affects their wallets,” Rolison said. “A few days ago, I saw a figure that the additional cost to these businesses, individuals, and families due to congestion pricing could be $4000… I hear people saying they care about public safety, affordability, and the immigration crisis, but above all, people often talk about: they don’t trust the government! Why?!”
With just one week since the election, “inflation hasn’t decreased, but congestion pricing is back, whether it’s $15, $11, or $9, it’s all too much, we shouldn’t have this expense,” he continued.
Newly elected Chinese-American Senator Chen Xueli from the 17th district also participated in the rally. He stated that during his campaign, he interacted with residents not only from Brooklyn but also from Flushing, who have intricate connections to Manhattan. They often need to travel to Lower Manhattan for visiting relatives, medical appointments, or legal consultations multiple times a day, making congestion pricing a significant burden.
“This is another tax imposed on the working class,” he remarked. “People say: we must pay income taxes, property taxes, water and electricity bills, capital gains taxes, tolls… now we have to pay congestion pricing! How much will the Governor take from me for every dollar I earn… I am disappointed in the Governor’s decision to reinstate congestion pricing.”
Chinese doctor Thomas Chan from Chinatown in Lower Manhattan expressed at the rally that he doesn’t represent any specific party but the local residents in the area.
“Congestion pricing is detrimental to Chinatown and Little Italy,” Dr. Chan said, “After 9/11, the economy in Chinatown never fully recovered, it heavily relies on external consumers, if congestion pricing is implemented, many people won’t come to Chinatown for food and shopping, our restaurants and stores will face issues, they may have to shut down a second time… patients won’t come to us for medical care… my conclusion is: congestion pricing will have a disastrous impact on our local community.”
Yujin, leader of the Democratic Party in the 65D district of New York, in an interview, expressed that the Governor’s decision to reintroduce congestion pricing is a “big mistake” and is “unfair to everyone in and out of Chinatown,” essentially putting Chinatown in a “cage.”
“This violates the Constitution, violates civil rights, and restricts our freedom of movement,” Yujin stated. “Chinatown is in big trouble, it suffers before it gains any benefit.”
As a representative of the Democratic Party, Yujin cares about the party’s future, “But if you do it like this, how can we vote? You want us to support the Governor, but you need to give us reasons.”
During the rally, lawmakers and district representatives all expressed that congestion pricing is not a problem of any particular party but a problem of both parties and New Yorkers. They also hope that the upcoming federal government, led by President Trump, can inquire and oversee the issue of congestion pricing in New York State, preferably halting it before its formal implementation.