Ideologically speaking, it is rare for usually left leaning teacher’s unions and Republican politicians to be on the same page of an issue.
According to Open Secrets, teacher’s unions donate 94% of political contributions to Democrats.
Because of this, many heads were turned when Republican Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella and the United Federation of Teachers joined forces to file a federal lawsuit to block congestion pricing from being implemented in New York City.
Fossella kicked off his press conference praising UFT President Michael Mulgrew for joining in the effort to block the start of congestion pricing this spring.
“They (the UFT) have the guts and common sense to lead the effort on behalf of his teachers and others to stop the money grab nicely referred to as congestion pricing,” said Fossella, who estimated it would cost drivers an extra $4,000 per year in tolls.
“Workers will be punished by this scheme. Why would we give people another reason to leave?” asked Borough President Fossella.
Under the MTA’s congestion plan it will cost you $15 to drive your car into Manhattan, below 60th Street. Under provisions of the congestion pricing plan, the MTA can increase that by 10% following the first year. Trucks will be charged $24 to $36, depending on the size of your vehicle.
“We are now telling federal, state, and city agencies that we are suing you and asking the courts to intervene. Moving pollution is not the right way to treat this city. All this does is move pollution from Midtown to some of our most challenged areas,” said UFT President Mulgrew, who asked the EPA to conduct another environmental impact statement on the potential health risks of congestion pricing.
The federal lawsuit was filed in the United States Court for the Eastern District in Brooklyn. The following are named as defendants: The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, state Department of Transportation, and the city Department of Transportation.
The crux of the legal argument against congestion pricing in the newly filed federal lawsuit: air and noise pollution would simply shift from Manhattan to surrounding communities, not eliminate it.
Also joining the bipartisan effort to repeal congestion pricing was Democratic NYS Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton.
“I stand in support of this lawsuit to stop congestion pricing in its tracks,” Scarcella-Spanton stated.
The MTA announced it will hold four public hearings on the congestion pricing plan. The four public hearings will take place at MTA Headquarters, 2 Broadway, 20th Floor – William J. Ronan Board Room, on the following dates and times:
February 29, 2024, at 6:00 PM
March 1, 2024, at 10:00 AM
March 4, 2024, at 10:00 AM
March 4, 2024 at 6:00 PM
To learn more on how to speak at any of these public hearings, you can send the MTA an email: cbdtp.feedback@mtabt.org. They can also be reached at 646-252-6777.