I am deeply concerned by Governor Hochul’s unilateral decision to halt congestion pricing’s planned implementation just 25 days before its start date without engaging the Legislature and the public at large. Congestion pricing aims to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in Lower Manhattan. Additionally, congestion pricing can generate the revenue necessary to make all subway stations fully accessible and improve and speed up the overall system. These worthwhile goals should not be abandoned.

At the same time, I have repeatedly advocated the need for critical changes to the current plan, and I urge the Governor and the MTA to:

• Streamline and improve the burdensome process to apply for an IDEP exemption, including by opening a Manhattan intake center.
• Exempt residents of the congestion pricing zone.
• Implement environmental mitigation below 10th Street. The MTA acknowledged in its own study that air quality could get worse under congestion pricing in this area, where numerous public housing developments are located.

Most New Yorkers rely on public transit to get where they’re going. Ignoring the need for funding to improve public transit is an economic risk. I urge the Governor to engage with the Legislature so we can address this urgent issue.