congestion pricing is one step closer to becoming law New York's MTA board today gave the controversial plan the green light voting in favor of a $9 toll for most drivers who enter Manhattan south of 60th Street starting this January through 2027 the city's Transportation board says that base toll will be phased in with the fair rising to 12 bucks from 2028 to 2030 and $15 in 2031 the vote comes after New York Governor Kathy Hochul slammed the breaks on a $15 plan in June most speculated it was to help sitting Democrats win their reelection bids Hochul unveiled the new plan last week to help fund the city's cash strapped public transit system but at a lower cost to drivers speakers at today's hearing touted the positive effects for limiting the pollution fueling climate change and harming People's Health as well as the ways it'll cut down on traffic in Midtown Governor Murphy and other federal leaders are vowing to block the plan in court saying the toll disproportionately hits New Jersey drivers the plan now heads for approval from the Federal Highway Administration before it can take effect in the four days since the governor's announcement the coverage has had an outsized and inaccurately negative focus on the impact to drivers this is a hopeful moment it's a hopeful moment because it shows that New Yorkers we collectively can take on and address big challenges that we're facing [Music]