NY Focus: Trump Plans to Kill Congestion Pricing. Hochul’s Pause Could Let Him.

Donald Trump has made no secret of his plans for New York’s congestion pricing program. In a social media post in May, the Republican presidential candidate promised that he would “TERMINATE Congestion Pricing in my FIRST WEEK back in Office!!”

Trump doesn’t always deliver on his promises, but he could make good on this one. If he is elected in November, there are at least three ways that he could kill the program or hold it up for years. Even further delay would be catastrophic for the budget of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Does Governor Kathy Hochul have a plan to stop him? She unilaterally paused the program in June, a move now challenged by two lawsuits. Speaking at the Democratic National Convention last week, she said that she wants to unveil a replacement around the new year.

But that might be too late.

New York Focus Senior Reporter Sam Mellins appeared on Radio Chatskill with Tim Bruno to discuss three ways a Trump administration could try to stop the transit-funding toll.

Image: Donald Trump walks to the inaugural swearing-in ceremony at the US Capitol, January 20, 2017. (Credit: White House/Shealah Craighead)