New York governor defends blocking plan that would toll Manhattan drivers to pay for subway repairs

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday defended her decision to block a plan to reduce New York City traffic and raise billions for its ailing subway system through a new toll on Manhattan drivers — but offered little detail on how she would replace the program’s financial and environmental benefits. “I can’t do anything right at this time that would also suck the vitality out of this city when we’re still fighting for our comeback,” she told reporters at a news conference announced four minutes before it was set to start Friday night in Albany. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which would oversee the plan, has already installed cameras, sensors and license plate readers for the program, and reached a contract worth more than $500 million with a private vendor to operate the tolling infrastructure, according to the New York City Independent Budget Office. “Derailing this important program at the last possible moment and asking the legislature to come up with an alternative funding mechanism in less than 48 hours is irresponsible and inconsistent with principles of good governance,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, a Democrat Hochul, at her news conference, said she had the legal authority to halt the law without the approval of the MTA board, saying “it’s not necessary for them to take action” because she was pausing the plan, not terminating it.