Hochul's congestion pricing fix may be short-lived, opponents say

And farms are rapidly shutting down in New York, a new report says.

Good afternoon — it’s Thursday and National Pickle Day.

In today’s CapCon:

• Congestion pricing is back — but that might not last long if opponents have anything to say about it.

• New York is losing farms rapidly and it’s not getting better, according to a new report from the state comptroller’s office.

• Pay hikes were approved Thursday for the heads of state agencies in New York.

• At The Capitol: the Assembly has scheduled a hearing on PFAS for next week.

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(New York Governor’s Office)

🚘 Congestion pricing is back — at least for now

It’s been a long road for congestion pricing but it’s now about to hit the on-ramp, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday.

The new toll in the busiest parts of Manhattan — at or below 60th St. — will be $9 instead of the original $15 that Hochul opposed in the spring. It will increase to $12 in 2028.

The toll is scheduled to take effect Jan. 5, Hochul said. Drivers who are paid less than $50,000 a year will also have their cost cut in half if they have to pay the toll more than 10 times each month. 

But the toll could be short-lived. The power of its opponents has grown significantly since Hochul paused the program in June.