Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) that punishments would be instituted if she didn’t end New York City’s congestion pricing.
In a statement, Duffy accused Hochul of engaging in “class warfare,” claiming congestion pricing was meant to prevent working-class Americans from entering the city.
“President [Donald] Trump and I will not sit back while Governor Hochul engages in class warfare and prices working-class Americans out of accessing New York City,” he said. “The federal government sends billions to New York—but we won’t foot the bill if Governor Hochul continues to implement an illegal toll to backfill the budget of New York’s failing transit system. We are giving New York one last chance to turn back or prove their actions are not illegal.”
In a letter to Hochul, Duffy gave New York’s governor 30 days to demonstrate why her refusal to comply with the Trump administration’s demands to end the practice wasn’t illegal. He warned a failure to do as much would incur “serious consequences.”
If the Federal Highway Administration determines that the New York State Department of Transportation failed to comply, Duffy warned of two tiers of punishment.
The first round of punishments would include a halt in non-essential advance construction authorizations for projects in Manhattan, a halt in National Environmental Policy Act approvals for projects in Manhattan, and a halt to approvals for “Statewide Transportation Improvement Program amendments concerning New York Metropolitan Transportation Council [Transportation Improvement Program] modifications.”
If New York remains out of compliance, another tier of punishments may be instituted, including a halt of FHWA funds for New York City, among other punishments.
POPE FRANCIS, LEADER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, DEAD AT 88
New York City implemented the controversial congestion pricing program on Jan. 5. The tax varies from $9 for most motorists entering congestion zones during peak hours. The revenue generated will be devoted to repairing the city’s subway system.
The Trump administration announced the program’s termination on Feb. 19, which Hochul ignored.
