New York State Relaunches Its Municipal Tax Project In Manhattan, Donald Trump Strongly Opposes It

The governor democratic the State of New YorkKathy Hochul, that a tax would be introduced, starting in January, for vehicles entering the center Manhattanto reduce pollution, relieve traffic congestion and fund the city’s metro age.

This controversial project, undertaken in 2007 by former mayor Michael Bloomberg, went through many twists and turns before being relaunched in a lighter form, with a lower rate of $9 per day, compared to $15 initially.

A move expected to bring in $15 billion

“Let’s clean up our streets, reduce pollution and improve public transportation for millions of New Yorkers,” said Kathy Hochul. Inspired by European models like London or Milanthe toll will affect vehicles traveling south on 60th Street in Manhattan, where 700,000 vehicles pile up each day at an average speed of 11 km/h.

If the measure promises to bring in $15 billion to modernize the New York subway, it is very divisive. AN environmentalists and some residents, like Angela Dogançay, 74, see it as progress: “It’s the future, I hope she can make it happen and New Yorkers will understand the benefits of last. »

Strong opposition, especially from Donald Trump

However, the opposition is still strong, especially from the Conservatives, taxis and the New Jersey neighbor “An additional tax only empties our pockets a little more,” criticizes Denis Cruz, a 56-year-old entrepreneur. “It is unfair to the working and middle classes,” he said.

President-elect Donald Trump, who is strongly opposed to this initiative, denounced the project as “hurting workers, families and businesses”. Republican elected officials called on his intervention to prevent what they call an “absurd operation to drain traffic jams.” Kathy Hochul, however, chose a schedule aimed at avoiding a veto from the Trump administration, introducing the tax shortly before its inauguration.