Weprin Proposes Delaying NYC Congestion Pricing For Two Years After Covid

The Queens Assemblyman and former City Council Finance Committee Chair, a longtime opponent, joins others against adding financial burdens before the end of COVID

(QUEENS, N.Y.) – Assemblymember David Weprin, a top-tier candidate for New York City Comptroller, today proposed delaying the implementation of congestion pricing for two years, arguing that New Yorkers – already suffering from the health and financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic – should not be forced to incur additional costs until both are fully behind them.

Standing with their backs to the Brooklyn Bridge, Weprin – joined by a coalition of elected officials and community members concerned about the fiscal health of New York City – said that implementation of the long-awaited policy needs to be delayed by the mayor and the governor, regardless of federal approval. Last week, the Federal Highway Administration announced it will conduct an environmental assessment instead of a more in-depth environmental impact statement, which would take much longer to complete, paving the way for the speedy implementation of the policy.

In 2019, the New York State legislature approved – and the Governor signed – a plan within the state budget to implement an EZ Pass toll system for drivers entering Manhattan anywhere below 60th Street. Originally expected to begin in January of 2021, the concept was delayed due to COVID-19, which has since cost the lives of more than 31,000 New Yorkers. The virus also caused the end of hundreds of thousands of permanent jobs and tens of thousands of local businesses.

“One year ago, New Yorkers became patient zero in a global pandemic that spurred job losses and business closures,” said Weprin. “Now, we are being asked to incur an even greater financial burden while the virus is still not completely under control. Until we completely recover from COVID-19 and its aftermath, I do not believe this is the time to tax small business owners and outer borough residents driving into Manhattan. I am calling on the governor and the mayor to delay congestion pricing for two years and urge all New Yorkers to stand behind me in fighting for what makes the most sense.”

“Expecting working men and women from boroughs outside of Manhattan to pay for the city’s financial troubles is not only irresponsible, it’s plain wrong,” said Assemblymember William Colton. “The idea that congestion pricing should begin now – during a still-raging pandemic is a poorly timed, poorly executed effort to fix a problem without thinking about all the effects it will have on New York City’s families and I urge the Governor to rethink the timing.”

“When we voted on congestion pricing nearly two years ago, no one could have imagined the downward spiral on our economy as a result of a global pandemic,” said Assemblymember Erik Dilan. “In light of the past year, it would be irresponsible of the MTA to move forward with a plan to fast track congestion pricing while we are still recovering from COVID-19. Waiting two years following the end of this health crisis is the responsible thing to do and I join with Assemblymember Weprin and my other colleagues to call on the governor and the mayor to delay the program.”

“David Weprin understands the needs of working class New Yorkers here in Queens,” said Assemblymember Jennifer Rajkumar. “Many people in Queens have no practical way to reach Manhattan without driving, and congestion pricing adds a new financial burden in already challenging times. The time for implementation of this tax on working class New Yorkers is not now, in the wake of a global recession. I stand with David Weprin in asking that it be delayed two years until New Yorkers have time to recover from this devastating pandemic.”

“Given the financial hardships we are facing, this is not the time to add new tolls,” said Kevin J. Forrestal, President of the Queens Civic Congress, Inc. “Also the Mayor will leave office at the end of the year and continuity will be lost.  Delay the new tolls for two years.”

“Why on earth would we restrict the flow of commerce to our City just as we’re getting back on our feet? Manhattan’s central business district is a shell of its former self. Large employers are downsizing, expecting more to work remotely,” said Arthur Miller, the co-publisher of www.newyorktruckstop.com and co-host of New York Truck Stop radio (am970/am570). “The restaurant and entertainment sectors they supported, along with tourism, have been decimated.  Who drives into Manhattan now?  Those who have no other choice! The truckers who make deliveries and service calls, essential workers who live in transit deserts or have no reliable or safe transit options; those with doctor and medical appointments, or who take care of the elderly and disabled.  Tolls are an inherently regressive and inefficient tax, falling most heavily on working families and small businesses.  Those who truly care about the future of this City and its inhabitants will join with Assemblyman Weprin in calling for a two-year delay.”

Weprin is the only candidate running for Comptroller with the necessary municipal financial experience, having balanced the City’s budget as Chair of the City Council’s Finance Committee for eight consecutive years. He guided the City’s finances through the post-9/11 recession and the 2008 recession. Previously in his public service career, Weprin served as the Deputy Superintendent of Banks and Secretary of the Banking Board for New York State, where he was a watchdog of nearly $2 trillion, regulating more than 3,000 financial institutions and financial service firms in New York State, including international banking institutions, mortgage brokers, and mortgage bankers.

Weprin is currently Chair of the New York State Assembly’s Committee on Correction where he has championed critical legislation reforming our criminal justice system. He has authored groundbreaking legislation including the Adoptee Bill of Rights and the Religious Garb Bill and has made standing up for middle class New Yorkers a central theme of his campaign for Comptroller.

Weprin is a graduate of Jamaica High School, SUNY at Albany, and holds a law degree from Hofstra University. A father of five children, and grandfather of six, David and his wife, Ronni, live in Holliswood, Queens.

Endorsements (updated)

Congress Members:

• Rep. Tom Suozzi (Queens)

• Rep. Greg Meeks and the Queens County Democratic Party

• Fmr. Rep. Steve Israel (Queens)

NYS Legislators & Officials:

• Fmr. Lt. Governor Richard Ravitch

• Fmr. Attorney General G. Oliver Koppell

• Senator Joseph Addabbo (Queens)

• Assembly Member Michael Benedetto (Bronx)

• Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz (Brooklyn)

• Assembly Member Dick Gottfried (Manhattan)

• Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright (Manhattan)

• Assembly Member Vivian Cook (Queens)

• Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar (Queens)

• Assembly Member Jeff Aubry (Queens)

• Assembly Member Cathy Nolan (Queens)

• Assembly Member Maritza Davilla (Brooklyn)

• Assembly Member Bill Colton (Brooklyn)

• Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato (Queens)

• Assembly Member Helene Weinstein (Brooklyn)

• Assembly Member Erik Dilan (Brooklyn)

• Assembly Member Ed Braunstein (Queens)

• Fmr. Assembly Member Michael DenDekker (Queens)

NYC Council Members:

• Council Member Adrienne Adams  (Queens)

• Council Member Darma Diaz (Brooklyn)

• Council Member Chaim Deutsch (Brooklyn)

• Council Member Karen Koslowitz (Queens)

• Council Member Peter Koo (Queens)

• Council Member Barry Grodenchik (Queens)

• Council Member Paull Vallone (Queens)

Labor Unions:

• Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association

• FDNY EMS Local 2507

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 3

• Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association

• NYS Court Officers Association

• NYC Fire Marshals Benevolent Association

Democratic Organizations/Clubs:

• Queens County Democratic Party

• Downtown Independent Democrats (Manhattan)

• Lexington Democratic Club (Manhattan)

• Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club (Manhattan)

• Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club (Queens)

• Saul Weprin Democratic Club (Queens)

• Village Reform Democratic Club (Manhattan)

• East River Democratic Club (Manhattan)

• Seneca Democratic Club (Brooklyn)

Community Organizations

• Alliance of South Asian American Labor

• Italian American Political Action Committee

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