By Nick LaLota
Governor Hochul’s so-called “congestion pricing” is nothing more than a commuter tax that unfairly targets hardworking Long Islanders. At a time when families are already struggling under New York’s crushing tax burden, this policy adds insult to injury. It forces suburban communities to subsidize wasteful mismanagement while the state ignores pressing issues like rising violent crime and the ongoing migrant crisis.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), which stands to benefit from this tax, has a long history of inefficiency and waste. Fare evasion alone costs nearly $700 million annually—more than $300 million of that from buses. A report by the Empire Center exposed that over 1,100 MTA employees doubled their salaries in one year, often through six-figure overtime payouts. Instead of addressing these glaring issues, the MTA expects Long Islanders to fill a $15 billion funding gap without making meaningful reforms or providing real accountability.
Governor Hochul initially shelved this plan before the election, only to revive it afterward—a bait-and-switch that underscores her disconnect from suburban priorities. Her claim of a “40% reduction” on a tax that hasn’t even taken effect is misleading spin. This isn’t about solving problems; it’s about using Long Islanders as a piggy bank to bail out NYC’s failures.
In Washington, I’m working with my colleagues to fight back. Alongside Representatives Lawler, D’Esposito, and Malliotakis, I’ve urged Governor Hochul to abandon this tone-deaf plan. We’re also exploring bipartisan legislative options to protect suburban families from shouldering the burden of the MTA’s financial mismanagement.
This commuter tax is a slap in the face to Long Islanders, deepening the divide between New York City and its surrounding communities. While the tax is projected to raise $1 billion annually for the MTA, it does so without addressing systemic problems—throwing good money after bad.
Long Islanders deserve better. We shouldn’t be forced to fund programs that don’t reflect our values or priorities. Albany needs to focus on accountability and fairness—not schemes that punish suburban families to cover for bureaucratic failures.
Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County) is a lifelong Long Islander in his first term representing Suffolk County in the U.S. House of Representatives.