Latest news with #PermanentCitizensAdvisoryCommittee
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Feds issue new deadline for New York to shut down congestion pricing gantries
NEW YORK - The U.S. Department of Transportation is threatening to pull federal funding from New York unless the state shuts down its congestion pricing gantries. The new ultimatum comes from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy after the previously set federal deadline passed without compliance. What we know The deadline for New York to disable its congestion pricing gantries has came and went on Sunday, April 20. Now, Secretary Duffy has issued a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul threatening to withhold federal funding for road construction projects—not just in Manhattan, but in other parts of the state, including Long Island. Governor Hochul dismissed the threat in strong terms, saying, "Let me repeat this for those who didn't hear me the first 10 or 11 times." The letter from Secretary Duffy accuses the governor of "attacking working-class Americans." "It is appropriate that the federal government send a message to the state of New York and the MTA that they will impose penalties if they do not comply with federal law and that they're operating the congestion pricing cameras in violation of federal law," said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. By the numbers State officials say congestion pricing is already showing results. Since the program was activated: Nearly 6 million fewer vehicles have entered the pricing zone compared to previous years. Hundreds of thousands more riders are using subways and buses each week. The tolls are raising more than $50 million per month, surpassing the MTA's initial projections. What they're saying Lisa Daglian, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, pushed back on claims that congestion pricing is hurting the local economy. "They're really concerned about what is happening to New York's economy. They should look to see what's happening to Broadway attendance and they'll see that Broadway show attendance is up. They'll see that restaurant reservations are up," Daglian said. Governor Hochul has remained defiant, stating, "Congestion pricing is legal. It's working. Business is up, traffic is down, and the cameras are staying on." What's next The new deadline set by Secretary Duffy is May 21. If Governor Hochul does not comply, federal penalties are scheduled to begin a week later.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Yorkers rally for expanded Fair Fares subway discount eligibility
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – Eligibility for half-priced subway discounts should be expanded to include people making under $31,300 per year, elected officials say. The city's Fair Fares program offers discounted subway and bus fares to low-income New Yorkers. The program was expected to expand in early 2025 to include all locals making 145% of the federal poverty level, or $22,692 per year for a single person. A family of four would need to make under $46,617 to qualify. More Local News On Monday, advocates and elected officials are holding a rally at City Hall to say the program should expand to include New Yorkers making up to 200% of the federal poverty level. The new eligibility would include a single New Yorker making $31,300, a family of two making $42,300 and a family of three making $53,300. This expansion would mean 415,000 more New Yorkers could get the discount, including many who work minimum-wage jobs, according to the MTA's Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee. Advocates have long called for the 200% eligibility bar. In November, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Borough President Antonio Reynoso joined a rally at City Hall calling for the expansion. At the time, a spokesperson for the Department of Social Services told PIX11 the department would need to review the previous expansion to 145% of the federal poverty line before considering another. Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
