Girl Math: New York Gov. Hochul’s Toll Tax Draws Ridicule
November 20, 2024_.png)
Key Takeaways
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announces a $9 congestion pricing plan to toll vehicles entering Manhattan but frames it as a savings.
- Public reactions include frustration, anger, and disbelief at the mismanagement of state resources and condescension from leadership.
- Skepticism about revenue allocation and funding management erodes trust in Hochul’s administration, amplifying opposition from unions and disaffected voters.
Our Methodology
Demographics
All Voters
Sample Size
1,400
Geographical Breakdown
National
Time Period
4 Days
MIG Reports leverages EyesOver technology, employing Advanced AI for precise analysis. This ensures unparalleled precision, setting a new standard. Find out more about the unique data pull for this article.
Governor Kathy Hochul’s revival of congestion pricing has sparked heated debate among New Yorkers, amid widespread frustrations with her administration.
Hochul’s proposal, set to begin in January 2025, introduces a $9 toll for vehicles entering Manhattan's Central Business District during peak hours. This is intended to reduce traffic congestion and generate approximately $15 billion for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's capital projects.
The initiative has faced criticism from various groups, including New Yorkers, with a viral clip of Hochul explaining the tax could have been $15, but instead is only $9. Many point out the incoherence of presenting this as a savings, when non-congestion pricing is nothing.
Did Kathy Hochul just do the Tik Tok trend “girl math” with congestion pricing? https://t.co/TSRfYqtTOq
— West Village Guy (@VillageWest14) November 18, 2024
_.png)
A Tax Burden on the Working Class
Perceived Inequity
New Yorkers see the $9 toll for entering Manhattan as a financial burden disguised as a cost-saving measure. While Hochul frames it as a reduction from $15, critics say, regardless of the cost, the tax disproportionately affects middle- and lower-income groups who depend on their vehicles for commuting. The toll, coupled with high living costs and inflation, adds to their already stretched budgets.
Distrust in Leadership
Many commenters express skepticism about Hochul’s fiscal priorities. Complaints focus on mismanagement of taxpayer dollars, highlighting issues like fare evasion on public transit and rising costs without corresponding improvements. New Yorkers see the toll as generating revenue at the expense of struggling residents.
Dissatisfaction with Public Spending
Critics frequently cite misallocation of state resources as a point of frustration. Funds directed toward illegal immigrant assistance are often contrasted with unmet needs in transit efficiency and public safety. This fuels sentiments that Hochul’s administration is out of touch with the struggle to afford living in New York.
Political Discontent
Leadership Critiques
New Yorkers and outside observers regularly criticize Governor Hochul as a perfect representation of extreme liberalism. They accuse her of being an elite, disconnected from voter realities. This perception is tied to broader frustrations with Democratic leadership in New York, which many view as prioritizing ideological goals over practical governance.
Economic and Crime Concerns
People view the congestion toll as part of a pattern of rampant governance failures. Critics link it to other policies they feel have worsened the quality of life, such as lenient bail reform laws and insufficient measures to address crime and public safety.
Ideological Priorities
The policy also intensifies debates about liberal dominance in state politics. Many call for a political overhaul and alternatives to what they view as corrupt and ineffective leadership. This dissatisfaction is a rallying point for voters considering Republican candidates.
_.png)
Transparency and Incompetence
Revenue Allocation Skepticism
Distrust in how toll revenue will be used is a recurring theme. Many question whether funds will genuinely improve transit or if they will be lost to bureaucratic inefficiency. New Yorkers are offended at the audacity of Hochul to frame the $9 toll as a “savings,” calling it condescending and deceptive.
Messaging and Public Trust
Hochul’s communication around congestion pricing alienates voters who already feel neglected and taken advantage of by leaders. Many find the messaging tone-deaf, with comments suggesting the public is insulted by the idea that implementing a $9 toll is actually a win for government.
A 🧵looking at the Governor's statement announcing the return of the #CongestionPricing tax:
— Joe Borelli (@JoeBorelliNYC) November 14, 2024
1) This isn't a "40% reduction in Congestion Pricing Tolls"... the toll is $0 today. This is a 100% increase in Congestion tolls to $9. This is Orwellian. pic.twitter.com/BhoGAAaZdF
Financial Burden on Workers
Union members and leaders view congestion pricing as an unfair burden on working-class and middle-income families. They say a toll disproportionately impacts those who rely on vehicles due to limited public transit options.
Public Transit Issues
Union voices align with broader critiques of the MTA, citing fare hikes and declining service quality. They argue congestion pricing shifts financial responsibility onto vulnerable populations instead of addressing poor transportation management.
Union Opposition and Mobilization
Legal challenges, such as a United Federation of Teachers (UFT) lawsuit to stop the congestion pricing program, illustrate the growing opposition to New York governance from unions. Many Teamsters view Hochul’s policies as predatory, reiterating the shift away from Democratic politics which was clearly demonstrated in the 2024 presidential election.
_.png)
_.png)
_.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)