Malliotakis looks to block NYC congestion pricing plan with new legislative language

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis has announced that her language meant to prevent the implementation of New York City’s congestion pricing plan was included in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, which passed the House Appropriations Committee this week.

Malliotakis’ provision would prohibit federal funding from being used for activities related to the implementation of priced zones under the Value Pricing Pilot Program or New York City’s Central Business District Tolling Program, otherwise known as congestion pricing, which would effectively halt the program.

“New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and MTA Chairman Janno Lieber lied to the residents of New York City when they said there would be ‘no MTA fare hikes and service cuts in 2023 and 2024′ thanks to an influx of federal funding,” said Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn), referencing the MTA’s announcement of higher tolls and fares earlier this week.

“Not only have they raised tolls and fares, but they’re continuing to jam this congestion tax through as quickly as possible without conducting the proper studies to see how it would impact residents, commuters and small businesses,” she said. “I’m pleased to see my language included in the overall THUD Appropriations bill, and if successful, it would effectively kill congestion pricing by stripping away the federal government’s ability to help the city and state get it over the finish line.”

On Friday, New Jersey took a significant step as it seeks to block New York’s congestion pricing plan with a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Earlier in the week, members of the group responsible for figuring out how much drivers will be charged to drive into Manhattan’s Central Business District under congestion pricing met for the first time to outline the various considerations that must be taken into account in formulating the tolls.