By New York Post (Politics) | Created at 2025-01-28 19:16:36 | Updated at 2025-01-31 03:24:22
2 days ago
President Trump is considering appointing former upstate Rep. Marc Molinaro to run the federal agency that oversees public transit – a move that could spell trouble for Manhattan’s unpopular congestion toll.
Molinaro — an opponent of the $9 toll to get into midtown — is lined up to head the Federal Transit Administration, a unit affiliated with the Federal Highway Administration, which approved Gov. Kathy Hochul’s congestion-pricing plan, a GOP source said.
Both agencies are under the US Department of Transportation, which would give Molinaro sway over the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and whether to rescind the toll, the source said.
“Having a New Yorker at the helm is critical to hold the MTA accountable and kill congestion pricing, while ensuring it receives the federal transit resources it needs,” a GOP insider said.
Trump also opposes the $9 congestion toll that went into effect in Manhattan south of 60th Street just two weeks before he took office.
Molinaro lost his re-election to Democrat Josh Riley last fall in the upper Hudson Valley’s 19th House District.
The former Dutchess County executive ran as the Republican candidate for governor in 2018.
Molinaro rapped Hochul after she paused congestion pricing to enter Manhattan last June, only to revive it after the November election.
“There is a clear path to undoing the State’s cash grab,” Molinaro said in a statement on X last week. “The MTA is in desperate need of reform, transparency & accountability. Hardworking NYers & New Jerseyans aren’t an ATM for this bloated bureaucracy. Safety, accountability, accessibility & efficiency first!”
He also said last Nov.14 after the election, “Five months ago the Governor said the quiet part out loud: congestion pricing hurts taxpayers. Five months later it still hurts taxpayers. It’s one of the many reasons we need leadership at the @USDOT that will execute on @realDonaldTrump ’s vision to increase efficiency, innovation, and put taxpayers first.”
Gothamist first reported earlier Tuesday on Molinaro’s potential appointment.
Molinaro declined requests for comment.
His spokesperson referred questions to the DOT.
The White House, DOT, Hochul and the MTA didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
