Metro

Suburban voters stand by Hochul’s congestion pricing pause: poll

By
Social Links for Vaughn Golden
Published June 20, 2024, 5:31 a.m. ET

The majority of voters living in New York City’s suburbs approve of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s surprise last-minute decision to indefinitely pause the congestion pricing toll, according to a new poll.

The statewide Siena College survey conducted last week also showed Hochul’s approval rating hovering at its lowest level in a year, with only 38% of respondents giving her a thumbs up. 

Almost half, 49%, disapproved of her, tied for the second lowest rating ever, set back in April.

Of the statewide respondents, 45% said they supported Hochul’s decision to pause the $15 daily toll on drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street.

45% of respondents to a Sienna poll conducted last week say they support Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to pause congestion pricing. Andrew Schwartz / SplashNews.com

Suburban voters continued to voice the most fierce opposition to the toll, with 56% supporting Hochul’s pause. Those voters encompass Long Island as well as Westchester, Putnam and Rockland Counties.

The poll was conducted last week, just days after lawmakers ended their yearly session in Albany after bucking Hochul’s last-minute attempt to raise taxes to make up for revenue the MTA had expected to generate from congestion pricing.

Hochul suddenly paused the congestion pricing scheme last week, just a few days before lawmakers ended their legislative session in Albany. rfaraino

The decision has led to furious backlash against Hochul from lefty pols.

City Comptroller and mayoral hopeful Brad Lander is leading a group looking to sue to force Hochul and the MTA to move forward with the plan.

Despite the protests, only 23% of respondents told Siena they opposed the pause.

Earlier this year, even more poll respondents ripped the toll, with 63% saying they opposed or somewhat opposed congestion pricing.

While the suburbs may like Hochul’s congestion pricing pause, they still aren’t showing her as much love with 52% of suburban respondents saying they have an unfavorable opinion of the Governor. That’s the same rate as the rest of the state outside New York City.

“Despite strongly supporting Hochul’s decision to put congestion pricing on hold, and even more strongly supporting the social media bill she championed, voters now give Hochul the lowest favorability and job approval ratings she’s had in nearly three years as Governor,” Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg said.

Hochul’s approval rating lags behind that of President Joe Biden, who got a thumbs up from 42% of those polled.

The survey included 805 respondents from across the state who were reached by landline, cell phone, and through an online panel. The poll carries a margin of error of 4.1%.