Breaking News: New York State Ready to Embrace Congestion Pricing, Finally

The New York State Legislature is preparing to reverse over a decade of reluctance regarding congestion pricing, according to reports from Albany.

1 minute read

March 26, 2019, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York Traffic

Mr.Bajang / Shutterstock

"After years of hesitation, New York is poised to become the first city in the United States to introduce congestion pricing, which would put new electronic tolls in place for drivers entering the busiest stretches of Manhattan," reports Jesse McKinley and Winnie Hu.

More specifically, but still lacking some specifics, McKinley and Hu add: "Though state leaders have not ironed out details, they had reached consensus on Monday that the plan was necessary to help pay for much-needed repairs to the city’s beleaguered subway system."

Speaker of the State Assembly Carl E. Heastie and other state legislators have been "hunkered behind closed doors in recent days, discussing a broad array of exemptions that would make congestion pricing more palatable," according to sources close to the negotiations. If the State Legislature can agree on specifics of a congestion pricing deal, the state government would join Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio in support for the project.

Long-time observers of plans to bring congestion pricing to New York City will recall that a proposal to charge drivers to access parts of Manhattan died in the State Legislature in 2008.

Monday, March 25, 2019 in The New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Two yellow and white Dallas Area Rapid Transit light rail streetcars at station in Dallas, Texas.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region

At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

April 3, 2025 - KERA News

Sprawling housing development in suburban Summerlin near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Nevada Bills Aim to Establish Home Insurance Assurance Amidst Wildfire Risk

Republican sponsor hopes the FAIR plan would be “a true market of last resort.”

15 minutes ago - Nevada Current

Small red car driving on forested road passing "Welcome to Virginia" sign.

Virginia Law Allows Judges to Mandate Speed Limiters

The law could set a new precedent for speed limiting tech on U.S. vehicles.

1 hour ago - Streetsblog USA

Colorful sunset view over Chattahoochee River in Georgia.

Comment: EPA Cuts will Send Atlanta Back to Eye-burning Ozone, Lung-damaging Smog, and Raw Sewage in the Chattahoochee River

A veteran political journalist takes stock of the hard-earned ground Georgia stands to lose with slashed environmental protection.

2 hours ago - Georgia Recorder