Hochul's toll reboot plan faces bipartisan opposition, with Dems concerned about Trump's interference.

New York state leaders are considering reintroducing a "congestion pricing" program for Midtown and Lower Manhattan, which would have charged drivers $15 per entry-day, before President-elect Trump takes office.

Despite initial opposition from state Democrats, Gov. Kathy Hochul had planned to implement a long-held plan. However, now some in the Empire State are concerned that Trump may swiftly put an end to their dream of generating revenue.

A group of New York Republicans penned a missive to Trump, urging him to employ the authority of the federal government to halt what they deemed an unjustly expedited procedure initiated by the Biden administration.

The progress of congestion pricing can be attributed to the manipulation of the FHWA's Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP) by the MTA and FHWA, which was initially authorized by Congress in 1991.

"The Biden Administration collaborated to shorten the environmental review process, allowing the program to bypass the standard procedure."

Rep. Sam Graves, R–Mo., stated that Trump has made his opposition clear and that the "hasty implementation before he can assume office is a politically motivated move."

The governor paused the congestion pricing proposal indefinitely before its scheduled start this summer, citing its unpopularity. Now, just a week after the election, the proposal is being resurrected.

Sen. Andrew Gounardes, D-Bay Ridge, argued that a congestion pricing plan must be implemented "immediately" to prevent Trump from blocking it, as the Republicans had requested.

The city would implement a video-enforced toll system using gantries, with traffic below 60th Street and Central Park, as well as those entering from New Jersey, Brooklyn, or Queens except for via the RFK Triboro Bridge and George Washington Bridge, being subject to the toll.

The representatives, including Rep. Michael Lawler of Rockland County, Nicole Malliotakis of Staten Island, and Andrew Garbarino, Nick LaLota and Anthony D’Esposito of Long Island, urged Trump to respond.

The implementation of congestion pricing, despite opposition regarding its impact on New York families and workers, has been pushed forward, with concerns raised about its timing, inadequate transit, fiscal responsibility, and the negative effects it will have on low-income neighborhoods in New York City.

"Despite pausing the congestion pricing cash grab earlier this year to win back the House, Governor Hochul recently announced that she would implement it almost immediately."

The MTA is facing a significant deficit due to fare evasion and internal waste and fraud, which the lawmakers claim has caused Hochul to act now in order to improve the image of elected Democrats following the past election.

New Jersey and Long Island, with different political leanings, united against the plan, with New Jersey at one point considering legal action.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy stated on Thursday that he remains steadfast in his opposition to any attempt to implement a congestion pricing plan during the remaining months of the Biden Administration.

The message sent by voters across America last Tuesday is clear: many Americans are facing severe economic strains and the effects of inflation. It is not the right time to impose a new $9 toll on individuals traveling into downtown Manhattan for work, school, or leisure.

New Jersey was not meaningfully consulted by New York when crafting a plan that would have significant consequences on their neighbor, according to Murphy.

Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., concurred with Murphy, characterizing the program as a "cash grab" targeting commuters.

He stated that this effort has always been a means to extract funds from New Jersey residents' pockets to relieve the MTA's debt burden.

Janno Lieber, MTA Chairman, stated on Thursday that the transit system, characterized by "slow buses and increased car accidents," is not the New York that we all desire.

If first responders were stuck in gridlock in any given town, residents and local officials would clamor for a fix, according to Lieber.

Hochul previously stated that she desired a price point of approximately $9 instead of the original $15, citing inflation. Meanwhile, Lieber admitted on Thursday that he was open to exploring whether a lower toll could achieve the same revenue objectives.

The announcement by Democratic New York City Comptroller Bradford Lander highlights the "grave risks" that Trump's presidency poses to New York City, particularly in the areas of education, housing, health care, and transit, as well as the potential for mass deportation of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers.

Team Trump and Hochul were contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital for their reactions.