Amanda Prestigiacomo

Hey, Georgia. So this toll imposes a $9 charge on vehicles entering Midtown Manhattan and below that's south of 60th Street during peak hours, which are pretty much all day long. On weekdays, peak hours are considered 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on weekends, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and there's still a toll on off hours, though it is reduced. It's also worth highlighting that $9 is just the starting point.

By 2028, the toll jumps to $12, and by 2031, you're looking at a $15 charge. For those who regularly drive into this area, the toll will be costing them thousands of dollars a year. Now, Hochul argues that this is needed to bring down carbon emissions and to reduce traffic and fund New York's troubled public transportation, specifically the Metropolitan Transportation Authority or the MTA.

By 2028, the toll jumps to $12, and by 2031, you're looking at a $15 charge. For those who regularly drive into this area, the toll will be costing them thousands of dollars a year. Now, Hochul argues that this is needed to bring down carbon emissions and to reduce traffic and fund New York's troubled public transportation, specifically the Metropolitan Transportation Authority or the MTA.

The state wants to bring in $500 million per year during the first three years and eventually $1 billion when the toll hits $15.

The state wants to bring in $500 million per year during the first three years and eventually $1 billion when the toll hits $15.

Well, initially, she argued publicly that it was too burdensome for New Yorkers, especially at a time when we're dealing with inflation. Behind the scenes, though, Hochul was responding to vulnerable Democrats in her state that were worried about their upcoming elections. They thought the toll would be used against them and hurt Democrats' election prospects.

Well, initially, she argued publicly that it was too burdensome for New Yorkers, especially at a time when we're dealing with inflation. Behind the scenes, though, Hochul was responding to vulnerable Democrats in her state that were worried about their upcoming elections. They thought the toll would be used against them and hurt Democrats' election prospects.

So it follows that after the election, Hochul changed her mind on the tax. This time, though, she landed at that $9 starting point. When she announced the toll, she actually gave some interesting spin, and she told New Yorkers that she was actually saving them money.

So it follows that after the election, Hochul changed her mind on the tax. This time, though, she landed at that $9 starting point. When she announced the toll, she actually gave some interesting spin, and she told New Yorkers that she was actually saving them money.

So some politician Matthew right there, commuters were not paying this toll at all, and now they're paying that $9 toll, and that somehow saves them 40%.

So some politician Matthew right there, commuters were not paying this toll at all, and now they're paying that $9 toll, and that somehow saves them 40%.

Yeah, it's basically some climate activists, the MTA and Hochul, versus everybody else. New Jersey's Democrat Governor Phil Murphy, for example, he has sued to try to stop the toll program. Tolls could end up costing some Jersey residents who commute to New York City an estimated $5,700 per year.

Yeah, it's basically some climate activists, the MTA and Hochul, versus everybody else. New Jersey's Democrat Governor Phil Murphy, for example, he has sued to try to stop the toll program. Tolls could end up costing some Jersey residents who commute to New York City an estimated $5,700 per year.

Separately, the United Federation of Teachers, which is typically a Democrat ally, has also filed suit. The New York Farmers Bureau has spoken out against the toll, and Manhattan residents have filed a class action lawsuit. Additionally, congressional Republicans have found some support from Democrats in an effort to try to stop the toll program.

Separately, the United Federation of Teachers, which is typically a Democrat ally, has also filed suit. The New York Farmers Bureau has spoken out against the toll, and Manhattan residents have filed a class action lawsuit. Additionally, congressional Republicans have found some support from Democrats in an effort to try to stop the toll program.

And President-elect Donald Trump, who will likely have some big-name Democrat supporters, he vowed this past summer to rescind the federal approval for the program. Firefighters are against the toll, too. This comes despite Hochul and the MTA specifically arguing that it will cut down traffic and therefore cut down emergency response times.

And President-elect Donald Trump, who will likely have some big-name Democrat supporters, he vowed this past summer to rescind the federal approval for the program. Firefighters are against the toll, too. This comes despite Hochul and the MTA specifically arguing that it will cut down traffic and therefore cut down emergency response times.

Firefighter unions say that the tax will unfairly cost firefighters personally, as well as all other residents, and actually slow response times. Here's the president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association.

Firefighter unions say that the tax will unfairly cost firefighters personally, as well as all other residents, and actually slow response times. Here's the president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association.

Union leaders also say that firefighters frequently use their personal vehicles for transporting their heavy equipment. They say that if they're forced to buy additional fire trucks to avoid that, it'll cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Despite all of this, Hochul has not budged on the issue, and Mayor Eric Adams likewise has not offered firefighters support.