Malliotakis: MTA Will Be Held Accountable for Congestion Tax
Editor’s note: According to Senator Gillibrand in our video here (6:17 is where she answers this question) , halting the Congestion Pricing scheme is outside of the authority of the federal government, since the laws under which it was passed are New York State’s own laws. We covered the statements of local politicians after President Trump rescinded the authorization for Congestion pricing in New York. The secretary’s letter describes the legal basis for the rescindment of a special authorization provided by President Biden which allowed the tolling to be implemented.
(NEW YORK, NY) – Congresswoman Malliotakis issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Transportation’s final warning to Governor Kathy Hochul to comply with its order to halt congestion pricing by May 21 or face consequences.
“I applaud President Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for taking action to hold the MTA and Governor Kathy Hochul accountable for not complying with federal law and their directive to end the congestion tax in New York City. Today’s warning should serve as a wake-up call that the federal government will not stand idly by as Hochul and the MTA continue to rip off hardworking taxpayers and commuters.
The city’s Congestion Pricing plan did not receive the scrutiny and environmental review required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) — a clear violation that underscores the need for federal intervention. If this illegal cash grab continues, we will hold the State and MTA accountable by freezing advanced construction authorizations, NEPA approvals, or federal funding for projects within Manhattan’s congestion zone.”
View Secretary Duffy’s letter here.
Banner Image: Views of traffic and congestion in the Central Business District on Wednesday, July 6, 2022. Image Credit – MTA
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.