Trump meets with Hochul at White House to discuss Manhattan toll program
The federal government has withdrawn its approval for the contentious congestion pricing plan.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump met with New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday for over an hour to discuss the contentious Manhattan toll initiative known as congestion pricing.
A spokesperson for the governor confirmed that the discussion also included topics such as immigration and energy policies during their Oval Office meeting. The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the meeting.
Hochul is working to preserve the toll program as Trump sought to withdraw federal approval through the U.S. Department of Transportation earlier this week. In response, New York transit officials initiated a legal challenge against Trump’s decision to maintain the $9 tolls.
“The Governor and the President had a frank, candid conversation about New York’s key priorities including congestion pricing, immigration, infrastructure, economic development, energy, offshore wind and nuclear power,” stated spokesperson Avi Small. “Governor Hochul also presented President Trump with a booklet on the early success of congestion pricing. We will not comment further about private conversations.”
Supporters of congestion pricing celebrated its potential setback, while Trump referred to himself as a “king” regarding the withdrawal of federal approval.
The congestion pricing initiative aims to generate $1 billion, which would be utilized for $15 billion in bonds to improve the region's struggling mass transit infrastructure.
Previously, Hochul had postponed the implementation of the tolls last June, concerned that the program could negatively impact battleground House Democrats. However, she expressed her support for the program following the November elections, which took effect on January 5. This week, she strongly opposed attempts to terminate it.
Hochul's efforts to retain the tolls coincide with growing pressure on Mayor Eric Adams from fellow Democrats to resign. Meanwhile, the Trump Justice Department has sought to terminate his corruption case while the mayor collaborates with the administration on immigration policies.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
A spokesperson for the governor confirmed that the discussion also included topics such as immigration and energy policies during their Oval Office meeting. The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on the meeting.
Hochul is working to preserve the toll program as Trump sought to withdraw federal approval through the U.S. Department of Transportation earlier this week. In response, New York transit officials initiated a legal challenge against Trump’s decision to maintain the $9 tolls.
“The Governor and the President had a frank, candid conversation about New York’s key priorities including congestion pricing, immigration, infrastructure, economic development, energy, offshore wind and nuclear power,” stated spokesperson Avi Small. “Governor Hochul also presented President Trump with a booklet on the early success of congestion pricing. We will not comment further about private conversations.”
Supporters of congestion pricing celebrated its potential setback, while Trump referred to himself as a “king” regarding the withdrawal of federal approval.
The congestion pricing initiative aims to generate $1 billion, which would be utilized for $15 billion in bonds to improve the region's struggling mass transit infrastructure.
Previously, Hochul had postponed the implementation of the tolls last June, concerned that the program could negatively impact battleground House Democrats. However, she expressed her support for the program following the November elections, which took effect on January 5. This week, she strongly opposed attempts to terminate it.
Hochul's efforts to retain the tolls coincide with growing pressure on Mayor Eric Adams from fellow Democrats to resign. Meanwhile, the Trump Justice Department has sought to terminate his corruption case while the mayor collaborates with the administration on immigration policies.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
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