[[link removed]]
Dear New Yorkers,
Transit riders are the heart of the City’s working class and economic engine. Every day, 3.6 million New Yorkers rely on subways and buses to get where they need to be.
But unfortunately, New York’s transit system is not nearly as world class as our people.
When Governor Hochul halted congestion pricing last month, she singlehandedly deprived millions of subway and bus riders of $15 billion worth of transit improvements, like more frequent trains, new subway lines, faster buses, and greater accessibility. She also violated two state laws and the state constitution.
That’s why I’m so pleased to announce [[link removed]] the filing of two lawsuits today challenging the Governor Hochul’s unlawful decision. Both suits state unequivocally that the governor’s action is against the law.
[[link removed]]
The two new lawsuits were filed in partnership with our broad coalition [[link removed]] of advocates, attorneys, and potential petitioners exploring all possible legal avenues to fight Hochul’s about-face. Here’s a little bit more about the lawsuits:
*
City
Club
of
New
York
et
al
v.
Hochul
[[link removed]]
challenges
Governor
Hochul’s
authority
to
singlehandedly
block
congestion
pricing
under
the
original
2019
statute.
The
law
firm
Emery
Celli
is
leading
on
this
suit.


*
Riders
Alliance
v.
Hochul
[[link removed]]
challenges
the
governor’s
decision
on
the
basis
of
the
Climate
Leadership
and
Community
Protection
Act
and
the
right
to
clean
air
and
a
healthy
environment
in
the
New
York
State
Constitution.
The
environmental
litigation
nonprofit
Earthjustice
is
leading
this
effort.
Sierra
Club
and
the
New
York
City
Environmental
Justice
Alliance,
alongside
Riders
Alliance,
are
the
petitioners
in
this
suit.

If either of these new lawsuits are resolved favorably, it would re-implement congestion pricing and deliver transit improvements, a more frequent, accessible subway system, faster buses, cleaner air, and smoother traffic. New Yorkers have a fighting chance at the world-class public transit, reduced traffic, and better air quality we all deserve.
But if Governor Hochul’s illegal pause is not reversed, hard-working New Yorkers on their way home after a long day will experience increasing service cuts, gridlock, air quality alerts, and inaccessible stations.
We’ll keep doing everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen.
I’ll have more updates on congestion pricing soon,
Brad
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
The Office of New York City Comptroller
Our mailing address is:
Office of New York City Comptroller Brad Lander
1 Centre Street
New York, NY 10007
United States
This email was sent to [email protected]. If you wish to no longer receive these messages, please unsubscribe. unsubscribe: [link removed]