ALBANY, NY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants the State Legislature to enact congestion pricing for cars entering Manhattan below 60th Street Cuomo’s plan calls for drivers to be charged about $11 to enter that part of the city. He insists this is the only way to prevent a significant price hike for New York City subway riders, which, without the congestion pricing, could be boosted to more than $3.00 for a single ride, up from the current $2.75.

Cuomo said he doesn’t think the congestion pricing would have much of an impact on most upstate residents because there aren’t many people who drive into the city every day.

 “People who live in Sullivan and Orange counties already pay an outrageous amount of taxes. We have some of the highest rates in the state."

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, who represents Sullivan County and part of Orange County, has announced her opposition to Cuomo’s plan.

 “People who live in Sullivan and Orange counties already pay an outrageous amount of taxes. We have some of the highest rates in the state. On top of our property taxes, Orange County has to pay yet another tax to the MTA because it’s in the MTA zone,” Gunther said. “It’s unfair and puts an undue burden on everyone who needs to commute to the city.”

The metropolitan commuter transportation mobility tax (MCTMT) is a tax imposed on certain employers and self-employed individuals engaging in business within the metropolitan commuter transportation district, which includes Orange County. Under the congestion pricing plan, commuters would have to pay both the MCTMT and the congestion toll in order to go to work.

“Orange County has seven train stations compared to New York City’s 472 subway stations, and Sullivan County has no passenger rail service. We absolutely need more investment into transportation, but most of this money is going to New York City,” Gunther said. “We have people who have to walk for miles to work or who have to take a taxi every day. People are struggling.”