Gov. Kathy Hochul and lawmakers are expected to weigh more taxes and fees to fill a massive $33 billion hole in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s budget even after hitting drivers with the controversial new Manhattan congestion toll.
Hochul is rolling out “affordability” proposals ahead of her state of the state address next week and declared on Monday the state wouldn’t pass a budget “that we could not afford,” pledging she wanted to make sure “we don’t have to raise taxes.”
But the cash-strapped MTA needs a massive infusion of cash to float its huge five-year capital plan totaling $68 billion, with even the governor’s budget director admitting fees and taxes will likely be part of the solution.
“I think taxes generally will be part of the discussion,” Hochul’s budget chief Blake Washington told reporters in November.