New York was defiant in the face of the Trump administration’s demand that the tolling program end by Friday. Now, Washington is willing to wait a month.
New York was defiant in the face of the Trump administration’s demand that the tolling program end by Friday. Now, Washington is willing to wait a month.
New York was defiant in the face of the Trump administration’s demand that the tolling program end by Friday. Now, Washington is willing to wait a month.
Less than 24 hours before the Trump administration’s deadline for New York to end its congestion pricing program, the secretary of transportation gave the state a reprieve — and issued a threat.
The transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, extended the deadline by 30 days in the latest twist in a political battle between the administration and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which has vowed to keep operating the tolling program.
And the fight is becoming more heated. In a combative post on social media, Mr. Duffy described the program as “unlawful” and said he was putting Gov. Kathy Hochul on notice.
“Your refusal to end cordon pricing and your open disrespect towards the federal government is unacceptable,” he said, calling the tolls a “slap in the face to hard working Americans.”
Then, in the same message, he offered more time. “We will provide New York with a 30-day extension as discussions continue,” he wrote, noting that further noncompliance “will not be taken lightly.”
Avi Small, a spokesman for the governor, said the state would continue to back the program, despite the latest message from Washington.