On April 26, 2024, New York City’s Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis from Staten Island and Brooklyn, and New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer jointly announced a bipartisan legislative proposal (H.R.8121) to ban the implementation of congestion pricing in New York City.
Congresswoman Malliotakis stated that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board approved the congestion pricing plan last month with 11 votes in favor and 1 opposed. Starting from June of this year, commuters driving into Manhattan south of 60th Street will be charged a $15 congestion fee, meaning residents of Staten Island who drive to Manhattan will have to pay not only the toll for the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge but also the congestion fee, amounting to over $4,600 per year in mandatory toll fees.
A poll released by Siena College on the 22nd found that 63% of New York State voters oppose the congestion pricing plan, while within New York City, 64% of voters oppose the imposition of congestion fees, with only 33% expressing support. The opposition is particularly strong in the surrounding areas of New York City, as most residents drive into Manhattan.
Malliotakis mentioned that she successfully included a provision in last year’s THUD Appropriations Act that prohibits the use of federal funds for implementing congestion pricing. However, this provision was ultimately removed during negotiations in the U.S. Senate.
Congressman Gottheimer of New Jersey stated in a release, “For years, hardworking families, nurses, teachers, law enforcement, small businesses, and commuters from New Jersey and New York have all made a united call: do not raise our taxes, do not pollute our children, do not harm us with this outrageous congestion tax.” This would lead to more traffic congestion and air pollution, causing economic hardship for families in New Jersey and New York.