{"id":2308320,"date":"2024-07-25T17:51:02","date_gmt":"2024-07-25T21:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hochul-sued-by-transit-and-environmental-groups-over-manhattan-congestion-toll-delay-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-07-25T17:58:30","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T21:58:30","slug":"hochul-faces-lawsuit-from-transit-and-environmental-groups-over-delay-in-manhattan-congestion-toll-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hochul-faces-lawsuit-from-transit-and-environmental-groups-over-delay-in-manhattan-congestion-toll-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Hochul faces lawsuit from transit and environmental groups over delay in Manhattan congestion toll &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">34<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhochul-faces-lawsuit-from-transit-and-environmental-groups-over-delay-in-manhattan-congestion-toll-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2308320&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Governor \u200cKathy Hochul of New York is \u200cfacing lawsuits from transit\u200b and \u2064environmental groups following her decision to indefinitely suspend a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congestion-pricing-to-toll-drivers-moves-closer-to-reality-in-new-york\/\" title=\"NY&#039;s &#039;Congestion Pricing&#039; to Toll Drivers Nears Implementation.\">congestion pricing plan<\/a> for\u2063 Manhattan. This plan, which\u200c was set to begin \u2062on June 30, aimed to charge drivers entering\u200b central Manhattan\u200c approximately $15, \u200dgenerating \u2064around $1 billion annually for transit improvements. The groups argue that Hochul&#8217;s \u200cactions\u2062 violated state laws and the state constitution, as they believe the decision infringes \u200bon New Yorkers&#8217; rights to clean air \u2063and a \u2062healthy environment.<\/p>\n<p>In one of the lawsuits, the Riders\u2062 Alliance, Sierra Club, and New York City Environmental Justice Alliance claim that Hochul&#8217;s suspension compromises public\u2063 health. Meanwhile, the City Club of New \u200cYork contends that only the Triborough Bridge and \u2064Tunnel Authority can implement\u2064 congestion pricing, asserting that the governor lacks the authority to pause it.<\/p>\n<p>Hochul&#8217;s office\u2063 has \u2064dismissed these legal challenges as politically motivated, \u2063emphasizing her\u2063 focus on securing transit funding and reducing congestion. Critics come from various\u200d groups, including teachers, New Jersey residents, and\u2063 local truckers, \u200cwho \u200dare all seeking to block the implementation of the program. Hochul defends her decision citing economic concerns and\u2062 public feedback, while exploring the possibility \u2064of \u2062<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/manchin-promises-to-ensure-the-irs-doesnt-harass-anybody-after-80-billion-bulk-up\/\" title=\"Manchin Promises to Ensure the IRS \u2018Doesn\u2019t Harass Anybody\u2019 After  Billion Bulk-Up\">raising business taxes<\/a> to offset lost transit revenue.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Hochul sued by transit and environmental groups over Manhattan congestion toll delay<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1713869\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Transit and environmental groups sued Gov. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kathy-hochul\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Kathy Hochul<\/a> (D-NY) for blocking a plan to reduce <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/traffic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>traffic<\/a> and fund the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/subways\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>subway<\/a> system with a new toll on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/manhattan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Manhattan<\/a> drivers.<\/p>\n<p>The groups argue that Hochul&rsquo;s decision to indefinitely suspend this measure violated state <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>laws<\/a> and the state <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>constitution<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The program, which was scheduled to start on June 30, would have charged drivers entering central Manhattan a toll of around $15, with prices varying on the vehicle type.<\/p>\n<p>This fee was expected to generate approximately $1 billion annually for transit improvements in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>New York<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Traffic enters lower Manhattan after crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo\/Bebeto Matthews, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In their <a href=\"https:\/\/earthjustice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/riders_alliance_et_al_v_kathy_hochul_et_al_petition_1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>lawsuit<\/a>, the Riders Alliance, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/sierra-club\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Sierra Club<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york-city\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>New York City<\/a> Environmental Justice Alliance argued that Hochul&rsquo;s decision violated New Yorkers&rsquo; right to &ldquo;clean air and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/water\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>water<\/a>, and a healthful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/environment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>environment<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The people of New York City deserve to breathe,&rdquo; the lawsuit states.<\/p>\n<p>In a separate <a href=\"https:\/\/iapps.courts.state.ny.us\/nyscef\/ViewDocument?docIndex=KMrPxDhzJ_PLUS_GcPjUkSFPEkw==\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>lawsuit<\/a>, the City Club of New York argued that only the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority has the power to implement congestion pricing and the governor has no role in the decision.<\/p>\n<p>Following years of public debate, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-task-force-begins-meetings-to-discuss-slavery-reparations\/\" title=\"California Task Force Begins Meetings To Discuss Slavery Reparations\">state lawmakers approved<\/a> this plan in 2019, which was later signed into law by former Democratic Gov. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/andrew-cuomo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Andrew Cuomo<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;As powerful as a governor is, this Governor has no legal authority &mdash; none &mdash; to &lsquo;direct&rsquo; the Metropolitan Transportation Authority&rdquo; (MTA) to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-yorkers-on-board-with-pause-on-hochuls-indefinite-delay-on-congestion-pricing\/\" title=\"New Yorkers support Hochul&#039;s decision to indefinitely pause congestion pricing\">pause congestion pricing<\/a>,&rdquo; the lawsuit reads.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Protesters demonstrate outside Gov. Kathy Hochul&rsquo;s (D-NY) Manhattan office, Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo\/Yuki Iwamura)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>However, Hochul&rsquo;s office dismissed the lawsuits as a political maneuver.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Get in line. There are now 11 separate congestion pricing lawsuits filed by groups trying to weaponize the judicial system to score political points, but Governor Hochul remains focused on what matters: funding transit, reducing congestion, and protecting working New Yorkers,&rdquo; spokeswoman Maggie Halley <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/new-york-congestion-pricing-hochul-subway-a309b405ff29bb7f9475bc50faf2db58\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>told<\/a> the <em>Associated Press<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Some groups trying to block this program include a public <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/teachers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>teachers<\/a> union, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-jersey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>New Jersey<\/a> residents, and local <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/truckers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>truckers<\/a>, who filed suits ahead of the expected start date.<\/p>\n<p>Hochul has defended her decision based on economic concerns and public input, while also proposing raising <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/business\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>business<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/taxes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>taxes<\/a> to cover the lost transit revenue. However, lawmakers rejected this proposal.<\/p>\n<p>City Comptroller Brad Lander warned that if the governor&rsquo;s decision is upheld, New Yorkers will experience &ldquo;increasing service cuts, gridlock, air quality alerts, and inaccessible stations.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Betsy Plum, executive director of the Riders Alliance, said this plan would benefit New Yorkers by generating revenue to make <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/public-transportation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>public transportation<\/a> &ldquo;faster, more reliable and accessible,&rdquo; while also reducing &ldquo;costly gridlock, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/carbon\/\">carbon<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/emissions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>emissions<\/a>, deadly collisions and toxic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/air-pollution\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>air pollution<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Metropolitan Transportation Authority had already installed cameras, sensors, and license plate readers for the program, as well as secured a $500 million contract with a private vendor to manage the tolling infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1713869\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1713869\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Transit and environmental organizations have filed a lawsuit against Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) for halting a plan aimed at alleviating traffic and financing the subway system through a new toll for drivers entering Manhattan. The plaintiffs contend that Hochul&#8217;s choice to indefinitely delay this initiative breaches state laws and the state constitution. The program, which was set to launch on June 30, would have imposed a toll of approximately $15 on vehicles entering central Manhattan, with rates varying by vehicle type. It was projected to generate around $1 billion annually for transit enhancements in New York. <\/p>\n<p>In their lawsuit, the Riders Alliance, the Sierra Club, and the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance claimed that Hochul&#8217;s actions infringed upon New Yorkers&#8217; rights to &#8220;clean air and water, and a healthful environment,&#8221; stating, &#8220;The people of New York City deserve to breathe.&#8221; Additionally, the City Club of New York filed a separate lawsuit asserting that only the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority has the authority to implement congestion pricing, and that the governor has no jurisdiction over this decision. After extensive public discussion, state lawmakers approved the plan in 2019, which was subsequently signed into law by former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo. The lawsuit emphasizes that &#8220;as powerful as a governor is, this Governor has no legal authority \u2014 none \u2014 to \u2018direct\u2019 the Metropolitan Transportation Authority\u201d (MTA) to halt congestion pricing.<\/p>\n<p>Hochul&#8217;s office has dismissed the lawsuits as politically motivated, with spokeswoman Maggie Halley stating, &#8220;Get in line. There are now 11 separate congestion pricing lawsuits filed by groups trying to weaponize the judicial system to score political points, but Governor Hochul remains focused on what matters: funding transit, reducing congestion, and protecting working New Yorkers.&#8221; Various groups opposing the program include a public teachers union, residents from New Jersey, and local truckers, who filed lawsuits prior to the anticipated start date. Hochul has justified her decision based on economic considerations and public feedback, while also suggesting an increase in business taxes to compensate for the lost transit revenue, a proposal that lawmakers ultimately rejected. City Comptroller Brad Lander cautioned that if the governor&#8217;s decision stands, New Yorkers could face &#8220;increasing service cuts, gridlock, air quality alerts, and inaccessible stations.&#8221; Betsy Plum, executive director of the Riders Alliance, argued that the plan would benefit New Yorkers by generating funds to enhance public transportation, making it &#8220;faster, more reliable, and accessible,&#8221; while also mitigating &#8220;costly gridlock, carbon emissions, deadly collisions, and toxic air pollution.&#8221; The Metropolitan Transportation Authority had already taken steps to implement the program, including installing cameras, sensors, and license plate readers, and securing a $500 million contract with a private vendor to manage the tolling infrastructure<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3166,"featured_media":2308322,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/hochulmtapricing.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[36210,8433,4585],"class_list":["post-2308320","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-congestion-toll","tag-hochul","tag-lawsuit"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/hochulmtapricing.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2308320","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3166"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2308320"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2308320\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2308322"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2308320"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2308320"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2308320"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}