Republicans are pledging to verify Democrats pay the political worth for a brand new Manhattan congestion toll – as a brand new report revealed affected neighborhoods have already got among the worst emptiness charges within the metropolis.
The GOP might not be capable of cease implementation of the Gov. Kathy Hochul-backed $9 base toll to enter Manhattan’s enterprise district — a first-of-its-kind payment within the nation — however officers are already it as a significant marketing campaign subject towards Democrats in future state and metropolis elections.
“Congestion pricing is a continuation of Democrats’ tax and spending policies in Albany and New York City,” mentioned state Republican Social gathering chairman Ed Cox. “Every Assembly member and senator who voted for this law will have to explain it. It makes no sense.”
Opponents, in the meantime, declare {that a} new Division of Metropolis Planning report means that the brand new toll may economically harm Manhattan neighborhoods within the toll zone already affected by a whole bunch of empty storefronts.
Six of the town’s high 10 neighborhoods with highest storefront emptiness charges are within the toll zone, as are 10 of the highest 20 communities.
The report, launched final Friday, reveals:
- 24% of storefronts are vacant within the Monetary District/Battery Park, highest within the metropolis.
- The emptiness fee was 21% within the Tribeca/Civic Heart adopted by 20% in Chinatown, and 19.2% in East Midtown/Turtle Bay.
- The emptiness fee was additionally 17% in Chelsea/Hudson Yards and Midtown South/Flatiron Union Sq. and 16% in Midtown/Instances Sq., Soho-Little Italy and the Decrease East Facet and 15.7% in Greenwich Village.
One Decrease East Facet activist, retired state Supreme Court docket Choose and former Democratic Councilwoman Kathryn Freed, mentioned state and MTA officers by no means performed an financial evaluation of the brand new toll and the Metropolis Planning knowledge present proof it may damage neighborhoods within the congestion zone.
“No one looked at the economic impact,” mentioned Freed, a pacesetter in New Yorkers In opposition to Congestion pricing. “We have vacant buildings, empty storefronts.”
She additionally mentioned Hochul has handed Republicans a present they’ll use to bludgeon Democrats in upcoming elections– and jeopardize her re-election in 2026.
“It’s going to elect Mike Lawler,” mentioned Freed, referring to the Hudson Valley Republican congressman, who’s weighing a run.
Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, a Republican who’s planning one other run for mayor in 2026, mentioned the toll goes to “kill Manhattan.”
“There are empty storefronts now in Midtown,” Sliwa mentioned. “You recognize what this implies? Extra of an exodus south of the Mason-Dixon line.
“We are the party representing the working class.”
Junior’s restaurant proprietor Alan Rosen, who has eateries in Instances Sq. and in addition is weighing a run for mayor referred to as the payment “totally insane.”
“It’s absolute nonsense to charge people more to come into the greatest city in the world,” he mentioned. “It’s anti-business, it’s anti-visitor. It’s completely insane.
“Can we stop the madness, please?”
The MTA board is scheduled to vote Monday to implement the brand new toll, efficient Jan. 5.
Whereas Hochul has the votes on the board to muscle it by, it’s anticipated to have some opposition. Mayor Eric Adams’ appointees are anticipated to again the brand new toll.
The governor In June issued a “pause” or suspension of the deliberate $15 toll to enter Midtown south of sixtieth Avenue simply weeks earlier than it was to be carried out, in what many consider was a political technique to stop a backlash towards Democratic candidates operating for Congress this 12 months.
Final week, Hochul revived the plan days after the election, calling for a $9 toll as a substitute — though it is going to balloon to $12 in 2028 and better thereafter. Supporters have touted the plan as a method curb site visitors and air pollution in Midtown though the MTA is relying closely on the brand new earnings generated to assist bankroll its capital program.
“The Governor’s initial instincts were right. The issue hasn’t changed and neither has my opposition. Congestion pricing places too much of a burden on our regional economy whether it is $15 or $9,” mentioned David Mack, a Nassau County appointee on the MTA board, instructed The Put up Sunday.
A Siena Faculty survey launched in April discovered almost two-thirds of New York Metropolis voters opposed congestion pricing, as did 72% of suburbanites.
There’s additionally blowback from outer-borough Democrats in addition to Republicans who confirmed up at an anti-congestion toll press convention in Contemporary Meadows, Queens Sunday.
“I have to point out the obvious, $9 is a lot more than the current rate, which is zero,” mentioned Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Queens). “This isn’t a financial savings. It’s one other tax that working New Yorkers can’t afford. Congestion pricing will not be a good deal for New Yorkers.
“Manhattan has not recovered from COVID-19,” he added. “There are still office buildings that are not full.”
Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Queens) agreed, saying, “Affordability is basically an important factor that voters, that constituents, that individuals on the road, discuss to us about, and now we have to listen to that.
“So that’s why I’m here standing with constituents to say, keep the pause,” Rozic mentioned. “We don’t need to do this right here right now.”
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Democratic-run legislature in 2019 approve the regulation that approved the MTA to impose the brand new congestion toll, however earlier this 12 months he questioned whether or not now’s the perfect time to do it. He’s weighing a comeback bid run for mayor.
