Gottheimer, Van Drew, Malliotakis Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to End NY Congestion Tax and Hold MTA Accountable

Gottheimer, Van Drew, Malliotakis Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to End New York’s Congestion Tax and Hold MTA Accountable

In a bipartisan effort to address rising costs for commuters, Reps. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-2), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) have reintroduced legislation aimed at halting New York’s controversial congestion tax and ensuring greater accountability for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The proposed measures seek to protect hardworking families from what lawmakers call a “crushing, regressive” $9 daily fee that could cost drivers more than $2,300 annually.

“It’s utterly absurd that New York and the MTA are whacking hardworking commuters with this tax when costs are already high,” Gottheimer said. “I’m not going to let the MTA balance their mismanaged budget by picking the pockets of Jersey and New York families. Our bipartisan legislation will put a stop to this cash grab and hold them accountable.”

The Anti-Congestion Tax Act, co-sponsored by Gottheimer and Van Drew, would block the Department of Transportation from awarding new grants to MTA projects in New York until drivers from all New Jersey and New York crossings into Manhattan are exempt from the tax. The bill aims to prevent the MTA from imposing the fee, which could cost the Port Authority millions each year.

Van Drew emphasized the broader impact of rising costs in the region. “States like New York and New Jersey have developed a habit of solving problems by imposing more fees and taxes on residents, making it too expensive to live and work here,” he said. “This bill is a step toward protecting commuters and reversing that trend.”

Malliotakis echoed the sentiment, criticizing New York Governor Kathy Hochul and MTA Chairman Janno Lieber for targeting working-class families. “They treat New Yorkers like bottomless ATMs,” she said. “This tax is already hurting small businesses and commuters, and we’ll use every legislative and legal tool to reverse it.”

The lawmakers also introduced the Make Transportation Authorities Accountable and Transparent Act, co-led by Gottheimer and Malliotakis, which mandates a full audit of the MTA’s use of federal assistance over the past five years. Additionally, the Economic Impact of Tolling Act, co-sponsored by Gottheimer and Malliotakis, would require an economic impact analysis of the congestion tax before it can be implemented, ensuring transparency for the public.

The bills represent a unified effort to address concerns over rising costs and fiscal mismanagement, with lawmakers vowing to protect commuters from what they describe as an unfair financial burden.

congestion Tax stands as a ‌contentious policy,seeking too reduce Manhattan’s traffic‍ as well as its⁤ pollution,while generating​ funds for ‍the MTA’s infrastructure⁢ projects. However, the bipartisan reintroduction of ⁢legislation suggests that the cost burden may outweigh the benefits for ⁤commuters. With the Congestion⁤ Relief Zone tolls predicted to hit commuters’ ‌wallets‌ hard, proposals ​like this could prepare to tackle the MTA’s taxing policies head on and hold the agency accountable [[1]].

With discounts and exemptions in place for lower-income⁣ residents, commuters have some relief, ​but concerns about ⁤the policy’s broader impact remain. This bipartisan push underscores the need for a balanced approach ‌that prioritizes both infrastructure improvements and fairness for taxpayers.Gottheimer, Van Drew, and Malliotakis’ legislation signals a call for greater openness ‌and accountability, ensuring that New York’s transportation policies serve all stakeholders equitably [2] [3].⁤

As this debate continues,‌ it is essential to weigh the benefits of reduced congestion and enhanced public transit against ​the financial strain on commuters. The reintroduction of⁤ this legislation highlights the importance of finding solutions that foster economic growth without ⁣placing undue burdens ⁣on hardworking families.‍ Now, it’s up to lawmakers to ⁤ensure that New York’s transportation future is both lasting and fair.
The reintroduction of the *Anti-Congestion Tax Act* by Reps. Gottheimer, Van Drew, and Malliotakis underscores a growing bipartisan push to address the financial burden placed on commuters and businesses by New York’s congestion pricing plan. While the MTA argues that the congestion tax is essential for funding critical infrastructure improvements [[1]], critics contend that it disproportionately impacts working-class families and small businesses, exacerbating the already high cost of living in the region.

The proposed legislation not only seeks to halt the implementation of the congestion tax but also aims to hold the MTA accountable for its financial management. By tying federal funding to exemptions for New Jersey and new York commuters, the bill represents a significant effort to protect residents from what lawmakers describe as a “regressive” and “crushing” fee. As the debate over congestion pricing continues, this bipartisan initiative highlights the importance of balancing infrastructure needs with the economic realities faced by everyday commuters. Ultimately, the success of this legislation will depend on its ability to foster openness, fairness, and fiscal responsibility in addressing the region’s transportation challenges.