New York City's proposed congestion pricing plan has sparked controversy, with critics arguing it will disproportionately affect commuters from outer boroughs like Staten Island, shifting traffic and pollution to their areas. Local politicians and representatives, including Rep. Malliotakis, have voiced concerns that the plan could especially harm minority communities. City Council members, including KeithPowersNYC and CarlinaRivera, are demanding relief for residents who will face new taxes for using their cars. Critics also argue that the plan places undue financial burden on drivers to fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), despite the MTA receiving over $17 billion in federal funding in recent years. NYS Assemblyperson Emily Gallagher admitted the undue burden placed on drivers.
.@SIBPVito & @RepPeteKing – Congestion Pricing Could Ruin New York https://t.co/FOVNZ5oWGC
Over the last four years alone, the federal government gave the @MTA more than $17 billion. We deserve to know how that money was spent if they’re going to charge families and commuters thousands of dollars more a year with their commuter-crushing Congestion Tax. https://t.co/AFhgXWVaxf
NYS Assemblyperson Emily Gallagher (@emilyassembly) admits that congestion taxation is unduly placing the responsibility of funding the MTA on the backs of drivers who are not responsible, in any way, for the disinvestment or mismanagement of the MTA. In fact, drivers have… https://t.co/XiCKAogXpi
“We’ve been saying this for quite some time — that this plan would hurt Staten Island,” said Malliotakis. “And now to see that, predominately, the individuals that will be hurt by congestion pricing are minorities really is hypocrisy on the part of those who are saying they want… https://t.co/WzssBRY3oN
Cities like NYC are enacting congestion pricing scams to encourage people to get out of their cars and experience all the wonders public transportation has to offer... https://t.co/fG5mSmHrLZ
NY's congestion toll will discriminate against forgotten borough of Staten Island: local pols https://t.co/f0zTe9wwEi https://t.co/QcuH47K48J
NY’s congestion toll will discriminate against forgotten borough of Staten Island: local pols https://t.co/0ic2o0CVGa https://t.co/aPm8umpiC1
The following City Council members representing constituents in the MTA's conjured congestion taxation zone are quietly demanding immediate relief for residents who will subject to taxation for merely choosing to leave their homes via a car. @KeithPowersNYC @CarlinaRivera… https://t.co/V5DDBeh6uv
#NYC Congestion Pricing will make hardworking commuters from the outer-boroughs pay to have traffic & pollution shift to their areas, like #StatenIsland’s North Shore. While screaming social justice, they are literally pushing a plan that hurts minority communities most. https://t.co/8V056bq7Zy