New York's Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul told Politico on Monday that she is seeking alternatives to the much-maligned congestion pricing initiative that she had previously paused in June.
The controversial Congestion Pricing Program was set to charge drivers $15 to enter the Congestion Relief Zone, otherwise known as Manhattan, with the aim of bringing in an additional $1 billion annually to improve the city's transportation.
The goal of the program was to reduce traffic and travel time, create cleaner air, safer streets, reduce emissions, and improve the quality of life for New Yorkers.
"Let's be real a $15 charge — puts the squeeze on the very people who make this city go," Hochul said in June, pausing the plan. "I cannot add another burden to working middle class New Yorkers or create another obstacle to our continued economic recovery from the COVID pandemic."
Hochul has come under attacked from both the left and the right over the plan, with detractors saying she caved to pressure in an election year. Hochul pushed back on those allegations saying, "It's not related to elections," adding "we're studying other options."
"We will be announcing this by the end of the year because the Legislature had to act on it," Hochul told the outlet's Emily Ngo. "It's more than likely it will be announced by the end of the year, early next year as we get the Legislature on board."
Rep. Marc Malinaro, R-N.Y., told Politico that Hochul's pause on the traffic fee was strategically timed, saying "She's simply trying to minimize the pain Democrats will feel on Election Day, simply to kick us in the a** after Election Day."
The plan has already been used an election year talking point for Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., who states in a new campaign commercial that he "brought Democrats and Republicans together to stop the MTA's congestion pricing tax" which many have argued will disproportionately harm city workers who live in the suburbs.
In July, several environmental groups sued Hochul for pausing on her plan arguing the governor's suspension violated the state's constitution and infringed on New Yorker's right to clean air, water, and a healthy environment.