Republicans are pledging to make sure Democrats pay the political price for a new Manhattan congestion toll – as a new report revealed affected neighborhoods already have some of the worst vacancy rates in the city .
The GOP may not be able to stop implementation of the Gov. Kathy Hochul-backed $9 base toll to enter Manhattan’s business district — a first-of-its-kind fee in the nation — but officials are already looking at it as a major campaign issue against Democrats in future state and city elections.
“Congestion pricing is a continuation of Democrats’ tax and spending policies in Albany and New York City,” said state Republican Party chairman Ed Cox. “Every Assembly member and senator who voted for this law will have to explain it. It makes no sense.”
Opponents, meanwhile, claim that a new Department of City Planning report suggests that the new toll could economically damage Manhattan neighborhoods in the toll zone already suffering from hundreds of empty storefronts.