Rockland Reporter

Today, Congressman Mike Lawler issued a statement following reports that Governor Kathy Hochul is considering a pause or delay to congestion pricing. According to the reports, the Governor is exploring a new tax on New York City businesses to offset lost revenue from congestion pricing.

“Almost five months to the day before Election Day, Governor Hochul has suddenly realized how bad congestion pricing is polling in the suburbs and in New York City,” said Congressman Lawler (NY-17). “This cynical decision to ‘pause’ or ‘delay’ rather than cancel congestion pricing is nothing more than an election-year stunt. As I have said from the start — congestion pricing needs to be ended, not simply delayed.”

Lawler further criticized Governor Hochul's actions: “Coming on the heels of Governor Hochul praising President Biden for scrambling to reinstate executive actions to secure the border that he foolishly rolled back almost 41 months ago, this vapid announcement by the Governor is yet another political ploy. For the Governor to pump the brakes on congestion pricing now, while examining a new tax on businesses, shows that this was never about congestion but rather it was always a money grab to shovel more taxpayer dollars into the endless pit that is the MTA’s constant waste and corruption.”

Congressman Lawler represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which includes parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.