Wednesday Headlines: Congestion Pricing Victory Edition

Well, if there was ever a time for a victory lap.

Gov. Hochul has reason to celebrate after the state was able to beat back the federal government in court and keep New York’s congestion pricing program up and running.

District Court Judge Lewis Liman ruled that the U.S. Department of Transportation and its secretary, Sean Duffy, can’t unilaterally terminate programs even if it has the authority to establish and approve tolling programs like congestion pricing. Instead, the MTA is running the show.

Duffy sent letters last year threatening New York during his attempts to end the tolling program, and as those efforts fell flat, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber took time to declare victory.

“Today — once again — Secretary Duffy failed and New York is winning,” Lieber said in a statement.

Like Hochul, he has had to deal with the Trump administration dangling funding for projects in New York City to force a rollback of the tolling program, which, in addition to successfully reducing traffic and pollution in Manhattan, is also helping fund the MTA.

It isn’t all roses, though; the federal government is considering an appeal as it copes with defeat. As usual, you can get the full scoop here at Streetsblog.

More news:

• Forgetting House Democrats and the state party, Rep. Dan Goldman may be the biggest loser from the Supreme Court decision keeping Rep. Nicole Malliotakis’ Staten Island district intact. (amNewYork)
• In the North Country’s 21st Congressional District, candidates are throwing heaps of cash into their campaign coffers. (NCPR)
• Powerful state lawmakers are supporting a tax hike on the rich as they enter budget negotiations with Gov. Hochul. (Politico New York)
• Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s merry band of deputies isn’t aging well, with some members being reported as unqualified for law enforcement. (The New York Times)
• Crossing guards are on the front lines of Long Island’s dangerous driver epidemic. (Newsday)
• Queens Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar wants to revitalize Atlantic Avenue with efforts that include sidewalk beautification and reopening the Woodhaven LIRR Station. (QNS)
• Snow and sleet last night in the Capitol Region led to multiple crashes and closures. (The Times Union)
• Rochester residents are going to brainstorm ways to improve the intersection of Genesee Park Boulevard and Pioneer Street on Thursday. (The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle)
• Connecticut state lawmakers are considering the prospect of a bridge across the Long Island Sound that would connect with New York. (Newsday)