With assist from Shawn Ness
Gov. Kathy Hochul has killed congestion pricing.
In a video message this morning, the governor advised New Yorkers that she made the “difficult decision” to “indefinitely pause the program.”
The transfer shocked political insiders throughout the state, and angered the politicians and advocacy organizations that spent over a decade’s price of political capital pushing the controversial plan.
At present’s announcement, first reported by POLITICO, additionally speaks to Hochul’s strategy to governance. At different factors in her profession she abruptly balked at insurance policies inherited by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo that she’s beforehand championed.
Keep in mind cap and make investments? Hochul’s administration proposed altering the Cuomo-era local weather legislation to make this system more cost effective through the late days of price range negotiations final 12 months. However she backed down after environmental teams and lawmakers rebelled, and her administration is now evaluating a worth restrict on cap and make investments that — absent important different insurance policies — will see the state fail to realize its targets.
And what about bail reform? She was hounded on these Cuomo-era insurance policies throughout her reelection race in opposition to former Rep. Lee Zeldin and got here uncomfortably near dropping due to it. Solely within the ultimate days of her marketing campaign did she make a last-minute pivot to deal with crime.
At present’s announcement is analogous. State lawmakers and staffers are already packing their luggage to depart Albany and head again to their districts for the final time this 12 months. Dozens of congestion pricing cameras had already been put in throughout Manhattan, and this system was simply weeks away from changing into a actuality after it was first proposed in 2007.
“This is all a new development that sprung on us very suddenly, so I’m not exactly sure what the governor has in mind,” Deputy Majority Chief Sen. Mike Gianaris mentioned when requested how the state will make up for the deliberate congestion pricing income.
The Legislature will now have to determine how you can account for the estimated $1 billion, budgeted in congestion pricing income. Lawmakers consider there are two choices: to take cash from the state’s “rainy day fund” or generate income from the MTA by means of a enterprise or a payroll tax.
At the same time as congestion pricing was set to roll out, lawsuits have been being waged to tear it down. In a authorized submitting as we speak obtained by POLITICO, the MTA advised the courtroom these fights gained’t be crucial anymore.
Hochul attributed her reversal to fiscal issues, saying as we speak: “A $15 charge may not mean a lot to someone who has the means, but it can break the budget of a working- or middle-class household,” she mentioned.
She additionally mentioned: “To those cynics who question my motivation, I approach every decision through one lens: What is best for New Yorkers?”
POLITICO already reported on a distinct motivation. Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries was amongst these reportedly fearful that congestion pricing may harm Democrats’ possibilities of successful swing seats in New York, the place their social gathering’s losses helped tip the stability of energy to the GOP two years in the past. (Hochul’s announcement got here solely 12 hours after that story revealed late Tuesday evening.)
Keep in mind, Hochul spoke with grandiosity about congestion pricing simply earlier than this 12 months’s legislative session was set to start out: “From time to time, leaders are called upon to envision a better future, be bold in the implementation and execution,” she mentioned at a December pro-congestion pricing rally. — Jason Beeferman
THE ASSEMBLY’S SLOW PACE: Advocates for all kinds of points have expressed the same concern this week: There won’t be sufficient time for the Meeting to get round to voting on their payments earlier than leaving city this week. There are 150 members who would possibly need to debate payments in that chamber, in comparison with 61 at the moment sitting within the Senate, and the technical technique of casting votes takes longer than within the higher chamber.
The numbers bear out the gradual tempo. Whereas the Meeting didn’t adjourn for the day till 11:37 p.m. on Monday and 10:49 p.m. on Tuesday, members handed solely 137 payments — a fee of 9 per hour spent in session. The Senate wrapped up by dinnertime each days, however managed to go 295 payments — a fee of 59 per hour. — Invoice Mahoney
BRAKING THE LAW: Earlier than toppling over a bike and signaling bulldozers to crush rows of others in a now closed Staten Island landfill as we speak, Mayor Eric Adams introduced town can be doubling down on punitive measures in opposition to unlawful e-bike and motorcycle use.
This week, the NYPD launched an enforcement blitz in opposition to the unregistered autos, which metropolis officers mentioned are more and more getting used to commit robberies and different crimes throughout town.
“These mopeds and scooters are being used in … commission of crimes,” Adams mentioned. “We’ve also seen criminals using them to ride around and snatch property such as cell phones, jewelries, and wallets off of New Yorkers.”
E-bike-assisted crimes have surged over the previous two years.
Over the primary 5 months of this 12 months, for instance, the variety of theft patterns elevated practically eightfold over the identical interval in 2022, whereas the variety of complaints jumped ten occasions.
Two days in the past in Corona, Queens, two cops have been shot throughout a crackdown by a person using an unregistered scooter with a loaded gun, in accordance with NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell.
“Within hours, we seized 74 bikes, numerous arrests, numerous summonses.” he mentioned throughout Wednesday’s announcement.
The enforcement technique, which is able to embody checkpoints alongside tunnels and bridges and the deployment of group response groups, is just not supposed to ensnare supply service employees who regularly function these bikes.
“The greatest culprits are not those who are honest working delivery men,” Adams mentioned, hoping to interact with corporations who authorize the sale of unregistered autos within the first place. “Use it legally and the police department is your friend.” Adams mentioned. — Jillian Peprah-Frimpong
— ALBANY OPTS IN: Albany County has opted into the great trigger eviction program. However Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan has but to signal the invoice. The legislation would prohibit tenants from elevating hire greater than a ten % enhance, and assure lease renewals for non-problematic tenants. (State of Politics)
— PAID PARENTAL LEAVE: Hochul’s administration have come to an settlement with the Police Benevolent Affiliation to offer its members 12 weeks of paid parental go away and annual wage will increase. The agreed upon contract will final for 3 years. (Instances Union)
— BRAGG SAYS NO TO ENDING GAG ORDER: Manhattan District Lawyer Alvin Bragg doesn’t assume its time to carry the gag order positioned over Donald Trump throughout his hush cash felony trial. His group wrote a letter to Justice Juan Merchan opposing Trump’s needs for the lifting of the order. (Newsday )
Missed this morning’s New York Playbook? Learn it right here.
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