With help from Shawn Ness
Governor Cathy Hocheol Congestion fees have been abolished.
In a video message this morning, the governor told New Yorkers he had made the “difficult decision” to “suspend the program indefinitely.”
The move shocked political insiders across the state and angered politicians and advocacy groups who have spent more than a decade of political capital pushing the controversial plan.
Today's announcement, first reported by POLITICO, also speaks to Hochul's approach to governance. At other points in her career, she suddenly balked at policies inherited from former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, which she had previously championed.
Remember and invest your hat? The Hochul administration proposed changes to Cuomo-era climate law late in last year's budget negotiations to lower program costs. But she stepped down after environmental groups and lawmakers revolted, and her administration is now evaluating price limits on caps and investments that would prevent the state from meeting its goals without other important policies.
And what about bail reform? She came uncomfortably close to losing her re-election race against former Rep. Lee Zeldin, caught up in Cuomo-era policies. Only on the final day of the campaign did she make a last-minute pivot to focus on crime.
Today’s announcement is similar. State lawmakers and staff are already packing their bags to leave Albany and return to their districts for the final time this year. There are already dozens of congestion pricing cameras installed across Manhattan, and the program is just weeks away from becoming a reality after first being proposed in 2007.
Asked how the state would compensate for the planned congestion pricing, Sen. Mike Gianaris said, “This is all a new situation that has come out of nowhere for us, so I don't know exactly what the governor has in mind.” revenue.
Now Congress must figure out what to do with the roughly $1 billion earmarked for congestion pricing. Lawmakers believe they have two options. That means securing money from the state's “recession fund” or generating revenue from the MTA through business or payroll taxes.
Even though congestion pricing was scheduled to be implemented, a lawsuit was underway to abolish it. In a legal filing obtained by POLITICO today, the MTA told the court that such a fight would no longer be necessary.
Hochul said today: “A $15 fee may not mean much to someone with money, but it could break the budget of a working or middle-class household,” she said.
She also said: “To the cynical people who question my motives, I approach every decision through one lens: What’s best for New Yorkers?”
POLITICO has already reported on other motives. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was among those concerned that gridlock charges could hurt Democrats' chances of winning swing seats in New York that helped tip the Republican balance of power two years ago. (Hocheol's announcement came 12 hours after the article was published late Tuesday night.)
Hochul spoke grandiosely about congestion pricing just before this year's legislative session began. “Sometimes leaders need to envision a better future, then boldly act and execute.” Anti-congestion price rally. — Jason Bipperman
The slow pace of Congress: Advocates on a variety of issues expressed similar concerns this week. There may not be enough time for Congress to vote on the bill before it leaves town this week. There are 150 lawmakers in the chamber who can debate bills, compared to the 61 who currently sit in the Senate, and the technical means for a vote take longer than in the Senate.
The numbers support the slow pace. Congress did not adjourn until 11:37 p.m. Monday and 10:49 p.m. Tuesday, but lawmakers passed only 137 bills. This equates to a rate of 9 per session. The Senate wrapped up both days into the evening hours, but passed 295 bills, at a rate of 59 per hour. — Bill Mahoney
Violation of law: Before he knocked down a motorcycle and signaled a bulldozer to trample others at a closed Staten Island landfill today, Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city would double its punitive measures against illegal e-bike and motorcycle use.
This week, the NYPD launched a crackdown on unregistered vehicles, which city officials say are increasingly being used to commit robberies and other crimes across the city.
“These motorcycles and scooters are being used to commit crimes,” Adams said. “We’ve also seen criminals using this to go around and rob New Yorkers of their property, like cell phones, jewelry and wallets.”
Crimes using electric bicycles have increased rapidly over the past two years.
For example, in the first five months of this year, the number of burglary patterns increased nearly eight-fold compared to the same period in 2022, and the number of complaints jumped ten-fold.
Two days ago, two officers were shot in Corona, Queens, during a traffic stop by a person riding an unregistered scooter with a loaded gun, according to NYPD Patrol Capt. John Chell.
“Within a matter of hours, we confiscated 74 bicycles, arrested numerous people and issued numerous citations.” he said in a statement Wednesday.
Enforcement strategies, such as setting up checkpoints and deploying community response teams along tunnels and bridges, are not intended to entrap delivery service workers who often drive these bicycles.
“The biggest culprits are not honest-working delivery people,” Adams said, hoping to work with companies that approve the sale of unregistered vehicles in the first place. “Use it legally and the police department will be your friend.” Adams said. — Gillian Pephra-Frimpong
— Albany Select: Albany County has chosen a fair eviction program. However, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan has not yet signed the bill. The law limits tenants from raising rents by more than 10% and guarantees lease renewals for tenants who are in good standing. (Political Status)
— Paid Parental Leave: The Ho-chul administration agreed with the Police Benevolent Association to provide 12 weeks of paid parental leave to its members and to increase their salaries. The agreed contract will last for three years. (Times Union)
— BRAGG opposes ending the gag order. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg doesn't think it's time to lift the gag order issued in Donald Trump's criminal trial. His team wrote a letter to Judge Juan Merchan opposing Trump's wish to lift the order. (Newsday)
Did you miss this morning's New York Playbook? Read it here.