Staff Reports
The latest saga from the Empire State features Governor Kathy Hochul and her not-so-subtle begging for President Trump’s support on her congestion-pricing plan. Surprisingly, it seems that her attempts to rally the former president around her dubious scheme aren’t quite catching fire. This development could be seen as a small victory for sanity among New York’s beleaguered taxpayers.
Hochul’s congestion-pricing scheme has long been hailed by liberals as a revolutionary idea, but for most New Yorkers, it feels more like a ticket to financial sacrifice rather than an innovative transportation solution. The plan involves charging drivers entering Manhattan, which, let’s face it, is just a shiny new way of saying, “let’s put more money in the government’s pocket while we find creative ways to spend it.” To many, it resembles a cash grab masked under the guise of urban planning.
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
In what appears to be an act of political desperation, Hochul thought it wise to seek the support of President Trump, a man known for stirring the pot and shaking things up. While many might expect a partnership between a New York governor and a former New York president to create some magical results, it seems this particular collaboration is going up in smoke. The prospect of Trump endorsing a tax on drivers is about as likely as finding a unicorn in Central Park.
The lack of traction for Hochul’s pleas sends a clear message that not everyone is on board with her plans. It’s a sign that perhaps even in the frosted halls of politics, there’s some awareness that listening to the taxpayers who fund these initiatives is a smart move. New Yorkers are tired of being seen as cash cows for the city’s never-ending appetite for revenue.
As Hochul’s congestion-pricing scheme falters, there’s hope that New Yorkers might enjoy a brief respite from being subjected to another tax hike. It’s a refreshing thought to consider that political alliances, especially those tied to expensive and burdensome proposals, may not always pan out as planned. Perhaps this will spark a reevaluation of what taxpayers truly want—less congestion and more accountability from their elected officials.
