In an effort to scuttle New York City's congestion pricing plan, President Donald Trump has deployed his top White House attack dog in a federal court battle that could determine the fate of the tolls.
The Department of Justice has assigned Deputy Assistant U.S. Attorney General Eric Hamilton to defend the federal government against a lawsuit brought by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) over its right to impose the $9 base toll to drive below 60th Street in Manhattan. This move suggests that Trump is dead serious about ending the congestion pricing plan, which has generated billions of dollars in revenue for the MTA.
Hamilton's appointment comes after one of the Southern District attorneys assigned to the case resigned, leaving the federal government scrambling to find new talent to defend its position. The White House spokesperson has stated that President Trump remains committed to stopping congestion pricing, labeling it a "disaster" that benefits only out-of-touch politicians.
However, experts are questioning the effectiveness of the Department of Justice's arguments against congestion pricing, which appear to be a long shot at best. Manhattan federal judge Lewis Liman has already allowed the MTA to continue collecting tolls while the case moves forward, and barred the U.S. Department of Transportation from withholding funding from New York in retaliation.
The fight over congestion pricing is not just about the $9 base toll; it's about the future of mass transit in New York City. With billions of dollars at stake, this battle will determine whether the city can transition to a more sustainable and equitable transportation system that prioritizes people over cars.
The MTA has collected over $562 million in revenue from congestion pricing so far, which is slated to finance much-needed upgrades to the mass transit system. If Trump succeeds in killing congestion pricing, it would be a major blow to the city's efforts to reduce traffic congestion and promote green transportation.
As one law professor notes, "The government may take some hits for doing that." The Department of Justice's arguments against congestion pricing have already been met with skepticism by many experts, who see this case as a classic example of the Trump administration trying to use its bully pulpit to impose its will on the city.
The Department of Justice has assigned Deputy Assistant U.S. Attorney General Eric Hamilton to defend the federal government against a lawsuit brought by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) over its right to impose the $9 base toll to drive below 60th Street in Manhattan. This move suggests that Trump is dead serious about ending the congestion pricing plan, which has generated billions of dollars in revenue for the MTA.
Hamilton's appointment comes after one of the Southern District attorneys assigned to the case resigned, leaving the federal government scrambling to find new talent to defend its position. The White House spokesperson has stated that President Trump remains committed to stopping congestion pricing, labeling it a "disaster" that benefits only out-of-touch politicians.
However, experts are questioning the effectiveness of the Department of Justice's arguments against congestion pricing, which appear to be a long shot at best. Manhattan federal judge Lewis Liman has already allowed the MTA to continue collecting tolls while the case moves forward, and barred the U.S. Department of Transportation from withholding funding from New York in retaliation.
The fight over congestion pricing is not just about the $9 base toll; it's about the future of mass transit in New York City. With billions of dollars at stake, this battle will determine whether the city can transition to a more sustainable and equitable transportation system that prioritizes people over cars.
The MTA has collected over $562 million in revenue from congestion pricing so far, which is slated to finance much-needed upgrades to the mass transit system. If Trump succeeds in killing congestion pricing, it would be a major blow to the city's efforts to reduce traffic congestion and promote green transportation.
As one law professor notes, "The government may take some hits for doing that." The Department of Justice's arguments against congestion pricing have already been met with skepticism by many experts, who see this case as a classic example of the Trump administration trying to use its bully pulpit to impose its will on the city.
The government is basically trying to shut it down because they don't want people to think they're out of touch, you know? It's like, we all know cars are a huge contributor to traffic and pollution, so why not try something new that benefits everyone?
anyway, i think the mta's right to charge tolls below 60th street is legit, but at $9, it might be a bit steep for some people... maybe they should consider reducing it or making it tiered system? and what about all that revenue collected so far? shouldn't that go towards fixing up the transit system instead of just being pocketed by the city? 
. I'm not sure what the experts are expecting from this case, but if the Department of Justice's arguments are as weak as they seem, it might just backfire on Trump 
is Congestion Pricing even worth fighting about? I mean, the MTA has already made like $562 million from it, which sounds pretty good to me 
. I'm not sure why the government is so against it - doesn't it seem like they'd want more sustainable options for their citizens? 
. And what if it doesn't even work as planned? Like, we all know how things don't always go as expected, right? 
.