Kathy Hochul Meets Trump at White House Amid NYC Congestion Pricing Controversy
Gov. Kathy Hochul met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, where she defended New York City’s congestion pricing plan just one day after the Trump administration moved to halt the controversial tolling program.
The two leaders met in the Oval Office for over an hour, discussing several key issues affecting New York, including congestion pricing, immigration, infrastructure, economic development, energy, offshore wind, and nuclear power, Hochul spokesman Avi Small confirmed Saturday.
Hochul presented Trump with a booklet outlining what she called the “early success” of congestion pricing, Small said.
However, he declined to provide further details, calling the meeting a private discussion.
The Hochul-controlled Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) escalated its fight with the administration by filing a lawsuit Thursday, aiming to block Trump’s efforts to terminate the congestion pricing initiative. The legal move came less than an hour after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent Hochul a letter putting her on notice about the federal government’s decision.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber has remained steadfast in support of the tolling plan, dismissing the administration’s move as a “baseless effort.”
The congestion pricing scheme, set to charge drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street, has faced intense public opposition. Critics argue the program is an unnecessary tax on commuters and businesses, with little evidence it will significantly reduce traffic congestion.
Trump, who has long positioned himself as an advocate for working- and middle-class Americans, has opposed the congestion pricing plan, citing its potential economic harm to businesses and individuals already burdened by New York’s high cost of living.
Hochul, a Democrat, has remained a vocal proponent of the tolling scheme, insisting it will provide much-needed revenue for public transit improvements. However, the policy remains deeply unpopular among many New Yorkers, who view it as another example of government overreach.
White House representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the meeting.
Trump’s opposition to congestion pricing is consistent with his broader efforts to roll back regulations and policies he argues place undue financial strain on American workers and businesses. His administration has actively pursued legal and administrative means to reverse or block initiatives seen as counterproductive to economic growth.
While Hochul’s office framed the meeting as a productive dialogue on key issues, it remains unclear whether the discussion will lead to any policy shifts. The governor continues to push forward with her agenda, even as the administration works to dismantle policies it views as detrimental to economic recovery.
Trump’s stance on infrastructure and economic development has prioritized reducing bureaucratic red tape and lowering costs for businesses and consumers. His administration has sought to encourage investment and growth by easing restrictions that it argues stifle economic opportunity.
The congestion pricing battle is expected to continue in court, with both sides preparing for a prolonged legal fight. The outcome could have significant implications for transportation policy and economic activity in New York City and beyond, per the New York Post.
As the debate unfolds, Hochul remains firm in her support for congestion pricing, while Trump continues to push back against policies he views as harmful to hardworking Americans. The White House’s next steps on the issue remain to be seen.
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