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Federal judge rules on NYC congestion pricing; interpretation differs between parties

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Federal judge rules on NYC congestion pricing; interpretation differs between parties

A federal judge issued a partial ruling on Monday in the battle between New York and New Jersey over New York City’s controversial congestion pricing, finding the Empire State took most of the necessary steps to impose a plan to charge a toll on drivers entering the center of Manhattan.

The judge overseeing the case, U.S. District Court Judge Leo M. Gordon, also called on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to review and provide an explanation of certain aspects of the congestion pricing program.

While Gordon asked the FHWA for more information, he did not explicitly state whether the program should proceed as planned on Jan. 5, 2025.

Despite this, officials from New York and New Jersey claimed victory after Gordon issued his decision.

MTA BOARD APPROVES DEMOCRATIC GOV. HOCHUL’S MASSIVE NYC CONGESTION PRICING TOLL REBOOT

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FILE – Traffic enters lower Manhattan after crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in New York. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 indefinitely delayed implementation of a plan to charge motorists big tolls to enter the core of Manhattan, just weeks before the nations first “congestion pricing” system was set to launch.  (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

“The program will move forward this weekend,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

Also weighing in was Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, who said the MTA is “gratified” with Gordon’s decision.

“We’re gratified that on virtually every issue, Judge Gordon agreed with the New York federal court and rejected New Jersey’s claim that the Environmental Assessment approved 18 months ago was deficient,” Lieber said. “Most important, the decision does not interfere with the program’s scheduled implementation this coming Sunday, January 5. On the two remaining issues where the Judge requested that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provide additional data – information that was not yet before the Court in this proceeding – we’re confident that the subsequent Federal actions, including the approval of the revised, reduced toll rates, did put those issues to rest.”

NY’S DEM GOVERNOR INDEFINITELY HALTS CONGESTION PRICING PLAN, PUTTING PARTY OVER CLIMATE

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MTA Chair at March meeting

UNITED STATES -March 1: MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, speaks to the media during a break from a public hearing on congestion pricing Friday, March 1, 2024 in Manhattan, New York.   (Barry Williams for NY Daily News via Getty Images)

Despite Hochul and the MTA declaring a win in imposing the congestion pricing, Attorney for the State of New Jersey Randy Mastro interpreted Gordon’s decision differently, in that congestion pricing is on hold pending further clarification from federal officials.

“We welcome the court’s ruling today in the congestion pricing lawsuit. Because of New Jersey’s litigation, the judge has ordered a remand, and the MTA therefore cannot proceed with implementing the current congestion pricing proposal on January 5, 2025,” Mastro said. “The judge determined that the Federal Highway Administration acted arbitrarily and capriciously in approving the MTA’s plan, that the FHWA’s decision provided no rational explanation of mitigation commitments, that New York changed its tolling scheme significantly after it gained federal approval, and that more consideration is needed before the current congestion pricing proposal may take effect. 

“New Jersey remains firmly opposed to any attempt to force through a congestion pricing proposal in the final weeks of the Biden Administration,” he added. “There could not be a worse time to impose a new $9 toll, escalating over time to $15, on individuals who are traveling into downtown Manhattan for work, school, or leisure.”

NEW YORK GOV. KATHY HOCHUL CALLS TRUMP SUPPORTERS ‘CLOWNS’ IN HER OWN ‘BASKET OF DEPLORABLES’ MOMENT

Pedestrians and traffic in New York City

FILE – Pedestrians cross Delancey Street as congested traffic from Brooklyn enters Manhattan over the Williamsburg Bridge, March 28, 2019, in New York. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, indefinitely delayed implementation of a plan to charge motorists big tolls to enter the core of Manhattan, just weeks before the nation’s first “congestion pricing” system was set to launch.  (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

According to the judge’s decision, the FHWA has until Jan. 17, 2025 to provide feedback.

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Last month, the MTA approved Hochul’s congestion pricing in a 12-1 vote.

Congestion pricing would commence in January, and institute a video-enforced toll on newly-built gantries surrounding the city’s core. Traffic moving below 60th Street and Central Park, and entering from New Jersey, Brooklyn or Queens — except for via the RFK Triboro Bridge and George Washington Bridge — would be subject to the toll.

Hochul previously said she would like to see a slightly lower price point than the original $15 — around $9, citing inflation — and Lieber suggested he was open to seeing whether a lower toll could achieve the same revenue goals.

Ultimately, the MTA agreed to a phased-in congestion pricing plan that will result in Manhattan drivers getting hit with a higher-priced toll by 2031.

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President-elect Trump has indicated his intentions to scrap congestion pricing once he returns to the Oval Office on Jan. 20, 2025, a move that could be more complicated if the program is already in place.

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Boston, MA

'Wait Wait' for May 31, 2025: Live in Boston with Jim Rice!

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'Wait Wait' for May 31, 2025: Live in Boston with Jim Rice!


Former Boston Red Sox player Jim Rice throws out the ceremonial first pitch before game four of the American League Division Series between the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on October 9, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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This week’s show was recorded in Boston with host Peter Sagal, judge and scorekeeper Bill Kurtis, Not My Job guest Jim Rice and panelists Joyelle Nicole Johnson, Adam Felber, and Maz Jobrani. Click the audio link above to hear the whole show.

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Who’s Bill This Time

An Even Worse Way to Fly; A Beauty Contest You’ll Never Win; Party News That Changes Everything

Panel Questions

Intro To Adulthood

Bluff The Listener

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Our panelists tell three stories about romantic gestures gone awry, only one of which is true.

Not My Job: Baseball hall-of-famer Jim Rice answers our questions about green monsters

Legendary Boston Red Sox left fielder Jim Rice plays our game called, “Watch Out For THESE Green Monsters” Three questions about monsters that are green.

Panel Questions

A Pre-Marriage Mystery; A New Way to Do Something Old

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Limericks

Bill Kurtis reads three news-related limericks: Your Teeth Will Never Be the Same; Having A Blast On Everest; An Appealing Scent of the Summer

Lightning Fill In The Blank

All the news we couldn’t fit anywhere else

Predictions

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Our panelists predict, now that Clemson says double-dipping is okay… what surprising thing will they say is okay to do next?



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Pittsburg, PA

Pirates Manager Don Kelly Addresses Ejection vs. Padres

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Pirates Manager Don Kelly Addresses Ejection vs. Padres


PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly has built a reputation for defending his players and did so again in their latest game vs. the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

The Pirates loaded the bases in the top of the eighth inning, with designated hitter Andrew McCutchen hitting a two-out double and then both right fielder Bryan Reynolds and Spencer Horwitz drawing walks.

Catcher Henry Davis came up to bat for the Pirates and with his team trailing 3-2, just needing to get on base any way he could to tie it up or give them the lead.

Davis worked a full count, and the seventh pitch of the at-bat from Padres right-handed pitcher Robert Suarez was low, which would’ve tied the game up on a bases-loaded walk on ball four.

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Home plate umpire Edwin Jimenez, however, called a third strike and the Pirates didn’t score any runs.

Davis was stunned, but Kelly immediately ran out of the dugout and confronted Jimenez, demanding an explanation for the call and ended up ejected.

The Pirates went on and lost the game 3-2, which saw players like McCutchen and right-handed starting pitcher Mitch Keller show their displeasure with the umpire crew.

Kelly praised his players’ effort against top bullpen arms in Suarez and right-handed pitcher Jeremiah Estrada and also, clearly, didn’t care for the call.

“Honestly, the way our guys battled against two of the best relievers in the game, to comeback in that situation, get the bases loaded,” Kelly said. “Henry grinds out an at-bat. Obviously, I did not agree with the call and you know, it’s just unfortunate, that he battles that far in that at-bat, all our guys. That inning, again, against two of the best relievers in the game, to get into that situation, it’s just unfortunate.”

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Kelly makes it three ejections since taking over as manager of the Pirates on May 8, after the front office dismissed Derek Shelton.

He got his first ejection in his second game in charge vs. the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park on May 10 and then his second ejection against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 16.

Kelly said that Jimenez said nothing to him during his time out of the dugout and that the Pirates have to earn the respect from umpires going forward.

He also praised his team for fighting back in the game and that it means a great deal as the season moves on.

“As a team, we just got to go out and earn it,” Kelly said. “We’ve got to go out and earn that respect. We’ve got to play with a chip on our shoulder and find a way to overcome those situations. It was something that, like I said, was an unfortunate call, in a big moment.

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“It happened in Philadelphia a few weeks ago. Happened again tonight and just proud of the guys and the way they competed against those two guys especially and I think that it’s something to take forward.

“We’re right there with these guys. We’ve got guys on base. In Arizona, we came up with some big hits. We just go to keep grinding and earn that respect.”

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates



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Connecticut

New York faces Connecticut, aims for 4th straight home win

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New York faces Connecticut, aims for 4th straight home win


Associated Press

Connecticut Sun (1-5, 1-2 Eastern Conference) at New York Liberty (6-0, 3-0 Eastern Conference)

New York; Sunday, 3 p.m. EDT

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BOTTOM LINE: New York Liberty will try to keep its three-game home win streak intact when the Liberty play Connecticut Sun.

New York finished 32-8 overall and 16-4 in Eastern Conference action last season. The Liberty averaged 22.8 assists per game on 30.8 made field goals last season.

Connecticut went 28-12 overall and 14-6 in Eastern Conference play during the 2024-25 season. The Sun gave up 73.6 points per game while committing 16.1 fouls last season.

INJURIES: Liberty: None listed.

Sun: Lindsay Allen: out (hamstring).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.




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