Congressman Tom Kean condemns reintroduction of congestion pricing by Governor Hochul
NEW JERSEY – Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) Thursday issued a strong statement condemning New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to reintroduce congestion pricing, a controversial program that was originally introduced in 2019 but postponed in June 2023.
“Congestion pricing is a deeply flawed and inequitable program that unfairly targets New Jersey residents. I strongly condemn Governor Hochul’s decision to reintroduce this initiative and will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to put an end to it. This program should be permanently canceled. It is a money grab that disproportionately impacts New Jersey commuters, many of whom travel to New York City for work or other essential reasons. This unfair policy will only make it harder for working families to afford their daily commutes,” Kean said.
“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. Just before it was scheduled to begin this summer, and prior to the election, the governor acted unilaterally to ‘indefinitely pause’ the congestion pricing proposal because of its unpopularity. Now it’s conveniently being resurrected barely a week after the polls closed. Americans across the country, from New York and New Jersey, to Missouri and every other state, are feeling the pain of higher costs, and the results from the recent election show that they are ready for relief. This calculated decision flies in the face of the message Americans just sent, and my committee will consider all options to conduct the necessary oversight of this issue as we move forward,” Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves said.
Congressman Kean is a cosponsor of H.Res.609 – Expressing opposition to Central Business District Tolling Program of New York City, a resolution opposing congestion pricing.
