The New York State Thruway Authority is charging a heavy toll on drivers using I-190, causing a significant financial strain on commuters, especially those from the Southtowns who travel to Buffalo for work.
This toll is a big burden on hardworking families, already struggling with high gas prices and other rising costs of living.
The toll is unpopular, unfair, and unaffordable for many people. But there is hope. A group of concerned business leaders, local officials, and residents are demanding that this toll be removed.
Among the voices calling for change are Hamburg Town Board member Kathy Hochul and business leader Carl Paladino, who successfully sued the state to get rid of the toll.
At the time, Hochul was seen as a champion for working families. But now, as governor, she is supporting a new, even more controversial tax: the congestion-pricing toll. Starting January 5, drivers will be charged an additional $9 to drive into Midtown Manhattan.
This toll comes at a difficult time, with families struggling to pay for everyday essentials like gas and groceries, and the city still recovering from the pandemic.
Instead of defending working families, Hochul is now pushing a tax that will hurt them. Many people, including residents, unions, local leaders, and even officials from New Jersey, oppose this tax, recognizing that it will harm both families and the region’s economy.
Despite the growing opposition, Hochul is pressing ahead with the toll, using her power as governor to push it through, even though most New Yorkers don’t support it.
Meanwhile, the MTA, led by Hochul’s ally Janno Lieber, is wasting millions of dollars on outdated systems like the Help Point emergency intercom.
In an ironic twist, Hochul recently claimed that the new $9 toll is a tax cut because it’s lower than the original $15 plan. This claim has been met with disbelief, as it still adds a heavy financial burden on commuters.