New Jersey
Hochul Defends Congestion Pricing Pause By Invoking 'New Jersey Customers' Driving to Midtown Diners, Hardware Stores – Hell Gate
In a hastily convened press conference on Friday night, Governor Kathy Hochul told reporters that she did not need the MTA board’s permission to pause congestion pricing, and that her complete about-face on the program that would reduce congestion in Lower Manhattan while raising $15 billion for the MTA was not political, but rooted in the concerns of “working and middle class New Yorkers.”
Also, people who drive into Midtown diners from across the tri-state area and the owners of those diners.
Towards the end of the press conference, Hochul was asked a pointed question. “I mean this with due respect, but, how stupid do you think New Yorkers have to be to believe that this congestion pricing decision wasn’t politically motivated?” a reporter asked.
Hochul then gave an answer about how worried she became about congestion pricing based on conversations she’s having in Midtown diners that featured several curious pauses as she mentioned the hardships of people driving into the city from New Jersey—people who are technically not her constituents, unlike the millions of New Yorkers who take mass transit every single day.
Governor Hochul: I will never think that the voters and constituents in New York are stupid. Those are your words. Never mine. All I know is, I encourage you to go to the next diner with me, and I’ll probably be there Monday morning, sit with me and watch the people come over and thank me. That’s all I need to know. That is all I need to know. And if they were saying, “We love the idea of paying more money to come into this diner because I live outside another borough, and I’m not taking the subway today.” You know, I haven’t heard anyone say that. I’ve not heard a single small business owner say, “I’m really looking forward to my New Jersey [pause] my New Jersey customers”—The hardware store that was featured in the news just a couple days ago, the owner who says it’s going to increase the cost of deliveries, “I’m going to have to pass it on to my constituents. And my New Jersey [pause] customers are already saying they’re not going to come.” That’s real stress and real pain, and that is all that matters to me.
Asked to name the diners she has frequented in recent days, Hochul named several that are all very close to Grand Central Terminal, including one, Pershing Square Cafe, that is literally across the street from the train station.
“Oh, yeah, Comfort Diner, used to be my favorite. And then I now go to the Townhouse Diner. There’s also one on 42nd, it’s a little fancier, the Pershing Square,” Hochul said. “I wouldn’t consider that a diner, but that owner at Pershing Square Cafe, is very happy. Yeah I was with my husband there, probably Wednesday morning.”
(Hochul may be taking transit-infrastructure decision-making inspiration from her predecessor, Governor Andrew Cuomo, who once claimed that he upended the MTA’s L train tunnel repair project because a business owner grabbed him by the lapel.)
While Hochul also mentioned security guards and nurses who drive into the congestion zone late at night because they are afraid of the transit system or because they don’t have many other options, she did not mention that the tolls for these drivers would be significantly less—$3.75—than the $15 toll during rush hours (nor did anyone at the press conference point out that there are not many people who do this.)
When the governor was asked if she was committed to letting the MTA board do their jobs and vote on her proposal, she answered, “We’ve already examined all this, and well, it’s not necessary for them to take action. Either way, this is a temporary pause.”
After she was pressed on this, Hochul said, “It is not necessary to go for a vote. It is not necessary…It is not required I assure you.”
The governor’s assurances notwithstanding, many people, including good government groups, at least one state senator, and one member of the MTA board itself, do not seem so certain. (Midori Valdivia, a voting board member who was appointed by the mayor, told Hell Gate on Wednesday that she believes the MTA board should weigh in on the governor’s decision: “As I understand it, the MTA board members have purview on the future of congestion pricing, including any significant delays or pauses.”)
Hochul insisted that she and the legislative leaders “gave a lot of thought to this,” and that she is committed to working with them now through the end of the year, up to the beginning of the next session in 2025. (State lawmakers are headed home Friday night.) “No one can question my commitment to the MTA,” Hochul said, because she helped save it in 2023 with billions in dedicated funding.
What about all the environmental advocates, safe streets advocates, businesses groups and activists who worked to make congestion pricing happen?
“I understand there’s a lot of passion behind this. I’m an environmentalist,” Hochul explained. “I understand how important this is to people. What I say to them is, we’re going to continue working to mitigate congestion in the city. This is on a temporary pause that the mechanics and the operations are in place.”
Hochul also said she cared about getting rid of congestion, because New York City has an awful lot of it.
“Congestion is a problem in places more than just in Manhattan. Have you’ve been to Brooklyn lately? Queens? These are places where it is tough to get around,” Hochul said. “We need a smart strategy, and I don’t want to wait until gets—I wouldn’t even want to wait another year. Why don’t we start taking steps now to address the issue of congestion?”
PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
Keep Reading: Beloved New Jersey Restaurant is Closing
So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
PHOTOS: Step Inside a 1970s Kitchen — 34 Things You’ll Recognize
From Tupperware jugs (you know the ones) to those ever-present knife sharpeners, let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the quintessential ’70s kitchen.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
If You Grew Up in the ’70s and ’80s, These Foods Were Super Fancy
From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.
Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
FIFA and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill have become embroiled in a war of words this past week as the prospect of $150 train tickets to travel to World Cup games and plans to close parts of New York’s Penn Station have angered residents.
The recent uproar began after reports surfaced April 6 that parts of Penn Station would be closed to NJ Transit commuters not attending World Cup games for four hours before kickoff during the eight matches at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
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Moreover, round-trip train tickets between Penn Station in Manhattan and MetLife Stadium, where the final of the FIFA World Cup is set to be played, were announced by NJ Transit to come in at $150 per person.
A return ride on the same line typically costs $12.90, according to NJ Transit.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Los Angeles stop of The FIFA World Cup 26 Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola at LA Live in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026.
In a press release on April 17, Sherrill said the move to increase prices was caused by FIFA’s decision to eliminate parking at MetLife Stadium. The Democratic governor said price increases happened because FIFA did not agree to cover the costs of transporting fans.
“We are committed to ensuring costs are shared fairly. As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day,” Sherrill said.
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More: Going to World Cup at MetLife Stadium? Expect $150 train tickets and no parking
FIFA, on the other hand, has said the price increase would have a “chilling effect” on fans attending games in New Jersey and said Sherrill’s demands asking FIFA to absorb transportation costs for fans were “unprecedented.”
“Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup,” Heimo Schirgi, COO for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, said in a statement to USA TODAY.
The NJ Transit logo is seen in the lobby of the New Jersey Transit headquarters ahead of a press briefing on the New York/New Jersey FIFA World Cup 2026 regional mobility plan in Newark, New Jersey on April 17, 2026.
What are other cities doing with World Cup transportation?
New Jersey has not been the only place where transportation costs have been the subject of discussion ahead of the World Cup. In Boston, round-trip train train tickets on the MBTA from Boston’s South Station to Gillette Stadium are being sold for $80.
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Special event trains to Foxborough for New England Patriots NFL games and New England Revolution MLS matches are usually $20 for a round trip, according to local news station CBS Boston.
Other cities have not seen increases like the ones in New Jersey and Boston. In Atlanta, for example, train fares on the city’s MARTA will be $2.50 per ride, with children able to travel for free with a paying adult.
Kansas City is offering $15 round-trip shuttle rides for fans parking in four different park-and-ride locations, as well as those coming from FIFA’s Fan Festival in the city. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is offering fans a $3.50 round trip train ticket on its Metro Train.
SEPTA in Philadelphia is also keeping its prices low, with fans set to pay the base $2.90 fare for a ride on its Broad Street Line, which takes riders to Lincoln Financial Field, set to host six matches.
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Katie Sobko from USA TODAY Network’s NorthJersey.com contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup fans going to MetLife Stadium to pay $150 for NJT ticket
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