Staff Reports
The recent collaboration between Governor Hochul and former President Trump has turned heads, but not for the reasons she might be hoping for. Hochul has reached out to Trump in a bid to gain his backing for her congestion-pricing scheme, an idea that seems to be about as popular as a snowstorm in July in the Empire State. This push for support, however, appears to be hitting a wall faster than a New York cab in rush hour traffic.
Let’s be honest: a congestion pricing plan is an initiative that essentially taxes drivers for the privilege of navigating the chaos that is New York City traffic. Instead of asking the hardworking citizens of New York to dig deeper into their pockets to fill the coffers of the city, Hochul might want to rethink this entire scheme. After all, it’s not like congestion magically improves just because the government decides to charge more for it.
Thank you for standing strong, @GovKathyHochul!
“Hochul tried to convince him the program is making a big difference in New York, not only raising much-needed cash for the area's aging transportation system, but reducing traffic and speeding commutes.”https://t.co/ExOAF9gJFI pic.twitter.com/E8ot1jI1FT
— Ben Furnas (@bfurnas) January 31, 2025
Pray Marc Molinaro, heading the Federal Transit Administration, helps kill Hochul’s Midtown toll https://t.co/PQKMRwLws8 pic.twitter.com/hBACy52ii5
— NY Post Opinion (@NYPostOpinion) February 3, 2025
Moreover, the former president’s reluctance to jump on the Hochul bandwagon speaks volumes about the popularity and practicality of her plan. While Democrats often drown in their own policy aspirations, hoping that more fees and taxes will solve everything from traffic jams to climate change, the reality is that most New Yorkers are tuning out proposals that take more money from their wallets without guaranteeing a shred of improvement.
The mood among New Yorkers is growing restless. With escalating costs of living, including sky-high rents and grocery prices, adding yet another fee to the already burdened driver base has many shaking their heads. It’s akin to someone drowning in debt and then opting to finance a luxury yacht. Common sense is taking a back seat here, and Hochul’s persistence in pushing this congestion pricing proves just how detached some politicians can be from the everyday struggles of their constituents.
In what should ideally be a time for focused infrastructure improvements and real solutions, Hochul seems more concerned about raising funds through dubious schemes. The lack of traction on her proposal, particularly from a prominent figure like Trump, indicates her plan is likely headed for the scrap heap—a fitting place for a policy that would only serve to inconvenience and financially burden the very people it claims to serve. By reading the room, Hochul could save herself from a political headache and redirect her energy towards pragmatic solutions instead of chasing the dollar with congestion fees.
