Bipartisan Pols Decry Hasty Approval By FHWA Of Congestion Pricing – To Charge Drivers $23!! To Enter Lower Manhattan, Shifting Traffic, Only Benefits NYC Coffers

Congressional Anti-Congestion Tax Caucus Statement on Federal Approval of Congestion Pricing in New York City

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Mike Lawler (NY-17), and Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07), members of the bipartisan Congressional Anti-Congestion Tax Caucus, released the following statement regarding the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) tentative approval of New York City’s Congestion Pricing Program that would charge drivers an additional $23 to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street.

“It’s disappointing to see the U.S Department of Transportation help the MTA fleece the families of New York and New Jersey with this costly program without requiring a full and thorough Environmental Impact Statement to learn the plan’s true impact on residents, commuters, tourism, and small businesses. By the MTA’s own admission, the Congestion Tax plan would actually increase air pollution and harm our environment.

“We know that the Congestion Pricing would have a minimal impact on reducing emissions as it only shifts traffic from higher-income, more urbanized areas to lower-income, more vulnerable communities. The fact that the MTA and FHWA are jamming this through without conducting the proper evaluations shows just how unpopular and politicized this scheme has become. We will be evaluating our options, both legislative and legal, to protect the residents of our communities from this blatant cash grab, and urge the public to voice their opposition to this scam over the next 30 days.”

On Friday, the FHWA issued a “Letter of Legal Sufficiency” to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), after reviewing the proposal’s environmental and legal impact. The letter triggers a 30-day public comment period where individuals can review the MTA’s Environmental Assessment. It is expected that after this period the FHWA will give its final stamp of approval with hopes of beginning the program in spring 2024.

The bipartisan Anti-Congestion Tax Caucus has introduced the Make Transportation Authorities Accountable and Transparent Act which would require the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to conduct a full audit of the MTA to see how it spent billions in federal assistance, along with Economic Impact of Tolling Act that would require a thorough economic impact analysis to provide more transparency to the public and policymakers about the potential consequences congestion pricing would have on workers, residents, and businesses.

Banner Image: Congestion pricing in NYC. Image Credit – Chris Barbalis

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was sworn in on January 3, 2021 to represent Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn. Prior to serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 2, 2010, defeating a two-term incumbent. In the Assembly, she served as Minority Whip and the ranking minority member of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Employees. For five terms, Congresswoman Malliotakis fought to restore ethics in Albany, expand transit service in her district, improve programs for senior citizens, reform education and improve New York’s economic climate by reducing the tax burden on small businesses and residents. A cornerstone of her tenure was helping her community recover and rebuild following the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In addition to advocating for these same issues in Washington, Congresswoman Malliotakis is acutely focused on securing New York’s fair share of federal mass transit funding, which would go towards expanding transportation services and easing traffic congestion, while also championing public safety by supporting our nation’s law enforcement officers. Congresswoman Malliotakis is the daughter of immigrants, her father from Greece and her mother a Cuban exile of the Castro dictatorship. She is currently the only Republican member representing New York City in Congress, representing a district spanning the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island. She is a passionate advocate for animal rights and the strengthening of animal cruelty laws, and in her spare time, enjoys spending time with her chihuahua, Peanut.