Staten Island Reporter

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis has voiced her opposition to Governor Kathy Hochul's decision to revive New York City's Congestion Pricing scheme. The plan involves charging commuters $9 to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street.

Malliotakis expressed concerns about the lack of scrutiny and environmental review under federal NEPA law. She stated, "The city’s Congestion Pricing plan did not receive the scrutiny and environmental review required under federal NEPA law. With Governor Hochul now changing the terms of this cash grab, the MTA’s Traffic Mobility Review Board must allow a new public comment period and the Federal Highway Administration should require the MTA to complete an Environmental Impact Statement to determine this new proposal’s impact on traffic, pollution and the economy."

Malliotakis also mentioned ongoing litigation challenging Congestion Pricing alongside Borough President Fossella, expressing hope for success in federal court. She added that they are communicating their concerns to the incoming Trump Administration with confidence that it will terminate what she describes as a burdensome tax on commuters.

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves criticized the timing of reviving the congestion pricing scheme. He remarked, “President-elect Trump has made it clear that he does not support this congestion pricing scheme, and the rush to institute it before he can take office is a blatantly political move." Graves pointed out that just before its scheduled start last summer, Governor Hochul paused the proposal due to unpopularity but has now resurrected it after recent elections.

Graves emphasized that Americans nationwide are experiencing higher costs and indicated his committee would explore oversight options regarding this issue.

Malliotakis is actively involved in efforts against congestion pricing as a founding member of the bipartisan Anti-Congestion Tax Caucus. This week, she joined other local elected officials urging Governor Hochul to abandon Congestion Pricing entirely and collaborated with Congressional colleagues in writing to request its termination by the incoming Trump Administration.