Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Mta topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate appeal over congestion-pricing amendment fails; senators call for MTA audit and repeal
Summary
A floor appeal to allow an amendment aimed at repealing congestion pricing and ordering an audit of the MTA was rejected; proponents argued congestion pricing harms commuters, building trades and small businesses.
A procedural appeal on the New York State Senate floor on Feb. 24, 2025 sought to permit an amendment that would repeal congestion pricing and order an audit of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, but the appeal failed and the underlying bill was restored to the noncontroversial calendar and later passed.
Senator Martins argued on the Senate floor that congestion pricing imposes a financial burden on suburban commuters, first responders and small businesses that bring supplies into Manhattan. Martins said the MTA should be audited and that repeal of congestion pricing was justified, describing tolls that charge $14.40 for small trucks and $21.60 for large trucks and stresses on building trades and essential workers. The senator said the MTA loses nearly $1 billion a year to fare evasion and questioned the projection that congestion pricing would bring under $1 billion in revenue.
A procedural vote on whether to overrule the chair and allow the amendment produced the floor tally “Ayes 22,” and the transcript records "The ruling of the chair stands." The contested bill was restored to the noncontroversial calendar; later votes on the related calendar items were recorded in the transcript, including a 59–1 recorded vote on an item tied to the calendar (one senator, Walzick, recorded in the negative on a later roll call).
Why it matters: supporters of repeal said congestion pricing disproportionately affects workers with irregular hours, small businesses and the building trades that must bring tools and materials into the city. The amendment sponsor sought an audit of the MTA to examine revenue projections and fare enforcement practices.
What the Senate did: the appeal to admit the amendment was unsuccessful; the chair nd the Senate declined to overrule the presiding officer. The underlying calendar item was restored and later recorded as passed according to the floor record.
Context: the debate echoes an ongoing statewide conversation about congestion pricing, MTA finances, and equity for commuters and workers who operate in and around New York City. The transcript records floor arguments and the procedural votes but does not record the adoption of the amendment repealing congestion pricing.
