Governor Hochul Stands Firm Against Federal Interference in Congestion Pricing

Governor Hochul addressed the media today about an important issue affecting New York’s congestion pricing program. At 1:01 p.m., the U.S. Department of Transportation emailed a letter from Secretary Duffy, indicating their intention to terminate the program. “Whether you support congestion pricing or not,” Hochul stated, “this move challenges our state’s autonomy and our freedom from federal overreach. Our nation’s founding figures, like Alexander Hamilton, advocated for a union of states that aren’t subservient to a central authority.”

Hochul passionately remarked on New York’s historical resilience, “In these city streets, we’ve fought and triumphed over tyranny before. And if you know New Yorkers, you know we don’t back down from a fight. Not now, not ever. We are championing the cause of our residents, commuters, drivers, emergency personnel—those who breathe cleaner air now and lead healthier lives because of these initiatives.”

The governor’s comments coincided with a broader update on congestion pricing alongside Janno Lieber, Chairman and CEO of the MTA, and Brian Mahanna, her legal advisor. She reiterated, “Our fight isn’t just about traffic; it’s about ensuring the six million MTA users, including nurses, doctors, and EMTs, can travel reliably to work and carry out their essential duties. We stand unwavering against any threat to the advancements we’ve made in our city’s public health and transportation efficiency.”