New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul announces legal action against toll evasion
The Issue: Gov. Hochul’s move to classify congestion toll cheating as a Class A misdemeanor.
Let me get this straight: Feckless Gov. Hochul is proposing that people who avoid paying into her cash-grabbing congestion-pricing scheme might be put in jail (Kat wants toll cheats to pay, Jan. 22)?
This is draconian. Especially so for a program that is supposedly being enacted to make up for the almost $1 billion annual MTA shortfall — which itself is due to massive farebeating on the subway system.
So instead of cracking down and enforcing existing laws to fine the farebeaters that don’t pay their subway fares, hard-working drivers are now expected to make up for their crimes. Why not just put these lawbreakers in jail and scrap this congestion-pricing plan entirely?
It’s high time we vote these money-hungry Democrats out of office.
Richard Rafal
Manhattan
So: You can hop over the turnstiles and steal from stores and pharmacies with few if any consequences. But Hochul draws the line at evading congestion-pricing fees — got it.
What is just as upsetting is that the New Yorkers who voted for this imbecile would probably vote for her again.
How stupid are the people in New York? That’s a rhetorical question. All of this is mind-boggling stuff.
Sara Gershon
Syosset
Hochul wants to charge cheaters who circumvent the congestion-pricing tolls with misdemeanors.
Does anyone find it interesting that a foreseeable problem will fall on the police to resolve? It seems that in stories like these — regarding crackdowns on crime — you find the need for police.
But the other trending story — on the How Many Stops act — involves curtailing our police. And in the meantime, the financial burden facing the MTA is also partially caused by subway farebeaters.
But Hochul’s answer to farebeating is not even a slap on the wrist. It’s more a finger-wagging warning: “Don’t do this again, sir.”
Ed Young
The Bronx
Just like her predecessor Hochul wants to add a sneak tax on drivers — and now she wants to punish them if they avoid paying it.
Suffolk County motorists already pay a “use tax” due to a tax code called Section 603 — thanks in part to our former Gov. Cuomo.
This tax burden — on top of the congestion-pricing fees — will mean that suppliers from hamlets like Suffolk County will refuse to deliver to New York City. And when that happens, what will Hochul do?
Arthur French
Wainscott
It looks like Hochul is planning to put more time, energy and money into fining and jailing congestion toll cheaters than other crooks — like those who assault police officers and the protestors blocking bridges and train stations.
Why? Because she is getting an expected $1 billion — to be collected yearly from congestion pricing. So this is very serious for her.
We as taxpayers should keep the money that she plans to take for the MTA.
Carol Meltzer
Manhattan
I read The Post’s article on Hochul’s plan to penalize congestion-pricing cheaters with both great interest and a good amount of amusement.
In particular I was struck by the line that “drivers . . . will be treated like criminals under the legislation introduced by Gov. Hochul.”
“Treated like criminals” means a couple things. Either the charges will be reduced, the charges will be dropped altogether or some judge will allow them to claim they were the victims of oppression and free them to commit the same crime another day.
You have to appreciate the strong arm of New York justice at its best.
John Mancuso
Naples, Fla.
Hochul has proposed charging commuters with misdemeanors for congestion toll evasion. Meanwhile, turnstile jumpers face few criminal penalties.
Ironically it is motorists who will have to offset the revenue shortfalls caused by farebeating.
The mantra “public theft of services” will have two meanings for two classes of commuters.
Mike Caruso
Nanuet
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