Victory for Staten Island: Governor Hochul Pauses Congestion Pricing, But Our Fight Continues
A Statement by Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R,C-Staten Island)
Editor’s note: You can see some of Asm. Pirozzolo’s views on the congestion pricing scheme here. Rep. Malliotakis also weighed in on this issue, commenting on the just-announced permanent pause for the scheme. If you would like to see the Assemblyman commenting on this issue, please view the video below:
“Fantastic news, Staten Island: We Won. Today, Gov. Hochul announced the ‘indefinite’ suspension of the congestion pricing scam. While this news is very much welcome, my relief is overshadowed by disappointment that this decision was made not to protect working-class New Yorkers, but only to protect Democrats from facing the political consequences of their own actions this election cycle.
“Additionally, I am deeply concerned about what ‘indefinite’ means here. Is that Albany-Democrat talk for ‘after the election’? If the governor wants us to believe she truly cares about New Yorkers who are struggling (thanks to her own policies) and not the shellacking they are going to give her at the ballot box, she can start by tearing down the congestion toll cameras and throwing them, alongside this entire program, into the dustbin of history.
“Furthermore, media outlets have reported the governor is considering taxing New York businesses to close the billion-dollar gap pausing the congestion scam will leave the MTA with. Not a dollar of taxpayer money should go to the MTA until a complete audit is done and every single penny they spend is publicly accounted for and disclosed.
“While Staten Islanders can find peace in knowing MTA Chair Janno Lieber is weeping in the back of his taxpayer-funded chauffeured SUV tonight, the fight against congestion pricing and Albany insanity is far from over. I will continue my work to fight for you and for common sense.”
Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo represents the 63rd Assembly District, which encompasses parts of the North Shore, including Emerson Hill, Sunnyside, Bloomfield, Travis and Chelsea.
Banner Image: Asm. Pirozzolo video statement screen capture. Image Credit – Asm. Pirozzolo
Assemlymember Sam Pirozzolo
Sam Pirozzolo is a native Staten Islander. He is a frequent contributor to the Staten Islander, and is well-known and loved by people on both the Right and Left, in his North Shore community. Sam brings people together, instead of dividing, by speaking common sense and analyzing our island's, and city's, issues, with intelligence and concern for all. Sam Pirozzolo was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 8, 2022. The 63rd Assembly District represents parts of Richmond County. Sam has successfully operated his family’s optical practice for 33 years. He is the past president of Community Education Council 31 where he served for seven years. Some of his most notable accomplishments include the creation of a Gifted and Talented program for middle school students, the recommendation for the NYC Department of Education to hire retired police officers as school resource officers, and the successful fight for the immediate cleanup of toxic PCBs leaking from the light fixtures in school classrooms. As an education advocate, Sam has participated in historic litigation that led to the return of more than $4 billion to New York public schools. He also fought to ensure that co-located charter schools receive the same capital funding as their host public schools. While serving in the Legislature, Sam will work to support law enforcement officers with proper funding, fix broken bail and parole policies, and help small businesses grow and thrive in a stronger, more resilient economy.