‘Cash grab’ – Hudson Valley residents, Rep. Lawler critical of MTA congestion pricing plan
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-17) said it was nothing more than a "cash grab." He said he is working on legislation with other federal lawmakers that goes against congestion pricing.
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's congestion pricing plan for a major part of New York City is on track to be the first in the nation.
The plan would make drivers pay to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber says it will translate into “less traffic, better transit, cleaner air and safer streets.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul says congestion pricing will help millions of New Yorkers lead “safer, less stressful lives.”
Not everyone is a fan.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-17) said it was nothing more than a "cash grab." He said he is working on legislation with other federal lawmakers that goes against congestion pricing.
“If Gov. Hochul and the MTA think this is the way to raise revenue, they’ll probably act shocked when more and more taxpayers continue to flee New York,” said Lawler in part of a statement. “For those commonsense folks that remain in the state, this could be the final nail in the coffin on their decision to move away.”
While final prices and discounts still need to be ironed out, News 12 previously reported that one proposal included a $23 peak-hour trip.
Andrew Ansbro lives in Pearl River and is the president of the Uniformed Firefighter's Association for New York City. The union includes workers who commute from the Hudson Valley and Long Island into the city. It is advocating for "New York's Bravest" to get an exemption because some may pay that fee twice a day if they need to drive to another firehouse to work a shift there.
"We expect our firefighters to not take their cars into work anymore – but New York City better find a few hundred firefighters to be chauffeurs for them as they go around the city, staffing firehouses," he said.
