New York City is one of the most congested cities in the United States. A group of Republican lawmakers from New York say they met with President-elect Donald Trump over the weekend to recruit his assistance in ending congestion pricing in the Empire State.
Less than a week into the newly implemented congestion pricing plan, Representatives Nicole Malliotakis, Mike Lawler, Nick LaLota, Andrew Garbarino, Nick Langworthy and Claudia Tenney took a trip to Mar-a-Lago to speak with the incoming president about it.
Trump has already signaled his support for ending congestion pricing – though he did not explain how he would go about doing so. The group of lawmakers disapprove of the plan, which charges drivers an additional $9 to enter midtown or downtown Manhattan during peak hours.
Congestion pricing has been a hotly contested debate. Some believe it is a necessary fee to reduce heavy gridlock, improve public transportation conditions and reduce carbon emissions from cars. Others, particularly those who commute into the city, believe it is an unfair tax that will make work commutes more difficult.
Governor Kathy Hochul, a proponent of congestion pricing, initially paused the program from taking effect in June. However, shortly after Trump was elected in November, she reinstated it – bringing the toll from $15 to $9. Lawler and other New York Republicans said they plan to introduce legislation to try and thwart congestion pricing from continuing.
