State Senator Gustavo Rivera released the following statement on Governor Hochul's decision to delay the implementation of the congestion pricing program.
"I could not in good conscience have supported any proposal to commit a $1 billion dollars a year to address a shortfall unilaterally created by a shortsighted decision from Governor Hochul just one day before the last scheduled session day. The proposals before us included raising this funding through either a payroll tax on New York City residents or an empty promise to find revenue by kicking the can down the road; options that are unacceptable to me and would hurt the constituents I serve. I want to thank Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for her discerning ability to represent our conference's priorities and focus on the people's business.
"Congestion pricing is law. It will positively impact more than 95% of commuters who do not regularly drive their cars into lower Manhattan. That includes the overwhelming majority of my constituents who use a bus or a train every single day. I will not betray them by legitimizing this unjustifiable delay or avoidable fiscal gap it would create.
"It takes courage and conviction to bring our city and state into a better future and to invest in what truly benefits New Yorkers in the long run. That is exactly what congestion pricing will do, and I will continue to stand by it."
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