NYC drivers to pay $23 tolls as Biden supports congestion hikes pushed by Cuomo and Hochul.

The Biden Administration Approves Controversial Manhattan Congestion Tax

The Biden administration has given its approval to a plan that will heavily tax drivers in Manhattan, a decision that has sparked criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The final federal approval was granted by the Federal Highway Administration, allowing a local panel of Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials to determine the implementation details, including toll rates, times, and exemptions.

Tensions Rise Between New Jersey and New York

This plan has not only fueled tension between New Jersey and New York but has also led to legal threats and condemnation from lawmakers. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) expressed his disappointment, stating, “It comes as a shock, but not a surprise, that the Biden administration decided to let the MTA move forward with one of the largest cash grabs from suburban commuters in history.”

Lawler continued, “If Gov. Hochul and the MTA think this is the way to raise revenue, they’ll probably act shocked when more and more taxpayers continue to flee New York. For those common sense folks that remain in the state, this could be the final nail in the coffin on their decision to move away.”

Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ), Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and other New Jerseyans have also voiced their opposition to the measure. Gov. Murphy even launched a billboard campaign in May with the slogan “Pay congestion tax to sit in NYC traffic? Get outta here.”

Legislative Options and Legal Action

Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) released a joint statement criticizing the plan and vowing to explore legislative options to prevent the tax. They also expressed support for Gov. Murphy’s efforts to take legal action against New York. Gottheimer, along with Sen. Menendez and Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), issued another joint statement opposing the tax.

Former New York GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin also joined the chorus of criticism, accusing Gov. Hochul of incompetence and stating, “Here she is bragging about screwing hardworking New Yorkers with a brand new fee they can little afford that will ironically increase truck traffic in the Bronx and on Staten Island.”

Despite the backlash, Gov. Hochul’s office has not provided a comment on the matter.

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