Governor Hochul shows disrespect for New York voters by considering new tolls post-Election Day

There are reports that Gov. Hochul is considering implementing a congestion-pricing toll at a reduced price, with exemptions for city union workers, as reported by The Post’s Carl Campanile. This decision is slated to take place after the November election.

Although Hochul had previously mentioned only “pausing” the tolls and cited concerns for the city’s economy rather than the political calendar, the decision appears to be influenced by political considerations.

The proposal to start with a lower toll than the originally planned $15 for entering Manhattan south of 60th street does not guarantee that the price will not increase in the future, given Albany’s history of seeking additional revenue rather than reducing taxes or fees.

The new plan also falls short of providing the MTA with the expected capital funds from the original congestion-pricing plan.

Exempting public-sector workers from the tolls undermines the anti-congestion rationale behind the tolls, making it a burden primarily on the private sector.

This exemption further contributes to the two-class dynamic in New York City, where private-sector individuals do not receive the same benefits as public-sector workers such as guaranteed pensions or post-retirement health coverage.

The lack of control over public worker privileges also contributes to the MTA’s fiscal issues, as evidenced by the agency’s substantial overtime expenditures.

Despite the state’s large annual budget, Albany is reluctant to allocate additional funds to the MTA, perpetuating the agency’s financial challenges.

There is speculation that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) played a role in Hochul’s decision to suspend the tolls, potentially to prevent backlash from suburban voters before the November elections.

Voters can hold their leaders accountable by supporting Republican candidates in the upcoming election.