A border war over congestion pricing

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It looks like congestion pricing is finally actually going to happen, and, surprise surprise, some people aren’t happy about it. Particularly miffed: The state of New Jersey, or at least its leading elected officials.

New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat, has been railing against the plan to toll drivers entering Manhattan’s central business district, joining up across the aisle (and the harbor) with Staten Island Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis to ask the feds to again slam the brakes on the plan. He’s calling for his state’s drivers to “stay in Jersey” to avoid the fee — which, congestion pricing supporters are quick to point out, is exactly what the plan is trying to achieve.

By bureaucrat standards, MTA chairman Janno Lieber got feisty Wednesday in lashing back at Gottheimer, noting that his state too charges tolls to New Yorkers driving on its highways. “I haven’t heard from the congressman from Bergen County his offer to give New Yorkers a discount or a credit on the Garden State Parkway,” Lieber said on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer show.

Complaints have also been coming from less expected corners: Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres, a supporter of congestion pricing, said he was “blindsided” by findings in the recently-released environmental study that truck traffic could spike significantly on the Cross Bronx Expressway as drivers try to avoid the fee. Lieber was more willing to give him the time of day, saying the MTA would work to mitigate the plan’s effects on the Bronx, where asthma rates driven by pollution are already high. “He’s raising a legitimate issue,” he said.

The MTA is considering fees ranging from $9 to $23 for drivers to enter Manhattan from 60th Street on down, with the exact amount varying depending on the time of day. For trucks, the charge could be as high as $82. Public hearings will follow, with one of the biggest debates expected to center on which drivers will get exemptions from the congestion fee.

IT’S THURSDAY. Got tips, suggestions or thoughts? Let us know ... By email: [email protected] and [email protected], or on Twitter: @erinmdurkin and @annagronewold

WHERE’S KATHY? Making an education announcement.

WHERE’S ERIC? Making an outdoor dining announcement and speaking to the West Indian American Day Carnival Association.

What City Hall's reading

“NYC seeking extra 5,000 hotel rooms to house migrants bused to city,” by New York Post’s Nolan Hicks and Carl Campanile: “City officials are urgently seeking another 5,000 rooms in Big Apple hotels to house migrants bound for New York City from the southern border, The Post has learned. There is no price tag attached to the request that was released Wednesday… The Department of Homeless Services had previously asked nonprofit social service providers to send in proposals to rent rooms and provide aid for 600 families set to be housed in a luxury Midtown hotel, the Row NYC on 8th Avenue. The new request for providers to secure thousands of rooms in hotels across the city is in addition to that, city officials confirmed.”

“NYC Opens 6 Isolation Beds for Homeless Shelter Residents with Monkeypox,” by City Limits’ David Brand: “As federal health officials warn of the risk of monkeypox transmission inside congregate shelters, New York City has opened a handful of nonprofit-run isolation beds for homeless residents who test positive for the highly contagious, highly painful virus. The city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) last month tapped the organization Comunilife to reserve six beds in its medical respite program for people with monkeypox living in homeless shelters or public spaces. So far, 11 people have used the beds since DOHMH issued the contract in early July, said Comunilife Executive Vice President Michael O’Donnell. All 11 were men, mostly men of color, and patients stayed in the isolation beds for between seven to 20 days, O’Donnell said.”

“Queens councilwoman hasn’t stopped speeding through NYC despite pledge ‘to do better,’” by New York Post’s David Meyer: “The City Council’s transportation chair has been caught speeding three times in recent months, despite a pledge to ‘do better,’ it was revealed on Wednesday. Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Queens) made the promise to pump the brakes in April when a local news site caught her with a whopping 17 speeding tickets in 11 months. But even though Brooks-Powers, 39, told Streetsblog ‘I absolutely pledge to do better’ after being called out for speeding, city cameras have captured her driving over the legal speed limit on April 24, June 23 and July 22.”

“Work from home is main reason slowing MTA ridership return: Lieber,” by amNewYork’s Kevin Duggan: “Work from home is the biggest driver keeping mass transit ridership stuck below pre-pandemic levels, MTA Chairperson Janno Lieber said Wednesday. Safety concerns are also to blame, said Lieber, but transit data show that New Yorkers from blue-collar areas have returned to the subways and buses in greater numbers, even though they live in neighborhoods with higher crime rates. Residents in wealthier parts of town with lower crime rates — who are more likely to have a job with a remote option — have been slower to travel back to the office for work, according to the transit chief.”

WHAT ALBANY'S READING

“Super PACs spend big on NY Senate races to hold off progressives,” by WNYC’s Jon Campbell: “The heaviest spending has centered on a handful of districts where moderate candidates are squaring off against foes favored by progressives. These include the 33rd District in the Bronx, where liberal incumbent Sen. Gustavo Rivera is facing a challenge from moderate Miguelina Camilo, and in the wide-ranging 59th District, where establishment-backed Elizabeth Crowley is facing democratic socialist candidate Kristen Gonzalez and Michael Corbett, a vice chair of the state Democratic Committee… As of Tuesday, more than 85% of the outside spending on State Senate primaries had come from three groups: New Yorkers for a Balanced Albany ($750,058), which is backed by billionaire Daniel Loeb, Walmart heir Jim Walton, and other charter-school supporters; The Coalition to Restore New York ($422,135), funded by the Madison Square Garden companies owned by the Dolan family; NYC Forward ($246,000), supported by labor unions and major city developers, including a group associated with the Real Estate Board of New York.”

“Amazon workers in upstate New York file for union election,” by Associated Press’ Haleluya Hadero: “Backed by the grassroots labor group that secured the first-ever union victory of an Amazon warehouse in the U.S., workers of another warehouse filed a petition on Tuesday for an election in upstate New York in the hopes of a similar outcome. A spokesperson for the National Labor Relations Board said the petition was filed for the warehouse known as ALB1, located in the town of Schodack, roughly 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Albany.”

“New York kids eating marijuana edibles up by 600% since 2019, Poison Center says,” by USA Today Network’s Sarah Taddeo: “Cases of New York kids and teens eating marijuana edibles shot up sixfold since 2019, the Upstate New York Poison Center said this week. … The reasoning for the uptick could be related to the products’ enticing packaging, sometimes featuring bright colors, or the fact that edibles are more readily available now, Dr. Vince Calleo, medical director of the Upstate New York Poison Center said Tuesday. ‘No matter the reason, our number one concern right now is for the pediatric population because marijuana can have serious effects on their small bodies,’ Calleo said.”

“Upstate restaurateur who stole from Albany mayor’s campaign joins Hochul at fundraising event,” by New York Daily News’ Denis Slattery: “An upstate restaurateur who swindled the mayor of Albany out of thousands of dollars in campaign cash was spotted schmoozing with Gov. Hochul at a recent fundraiser. Photos from an Aug. 6 event show a smiling Hochul standing next to Scott Solomon, a former Saratoga Springs restaurant owner who pleaded guilty last year to stealing roughly $40,000 from Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s campaign.”

#UpstateAmerica: A Brockport man started a side hustle powerwashing people’s trash bins and the market for that is bigger than you think.

FROM THE DELEGATION

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: State Senator Jessica Ramos will endorse Council Member Carlina Rivera in the crowded race for New York’s 10th Congressional District. Rivera said it was “deeply meaningful” to receive her endorsement, pointing to Ramos’ work as a co-sponsor of the state’s Reproductive Health Act. “Carlina Rivera has proven time and time again that she is more than just talk, she writes and passes laws that meet the moment,” Ramos said in a statement. “At this urgent moment, with reproductive freedom under attack, democracy under threat, and our city at risk of being under water, we need to elect someone who has proven she will take bold action. … I am proud to endorse mi amiga Carlina, and I know she will make an incredible Member of Congress.”

“Trump announces ‘endorsement’ of impeachment manager, other New York Democrats in sarcastic posts,” by Fox News’ Thomas Phippen: “Former President Donald Trump made two surprising endorsements Wednesday, stating that he ‘Strongly Endorse[d]’ impeachment manager Dan Goldman and Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y. ‘Lawyer Dan Goldman is running for Congress, NY-10, and it is my great honor to Strongly Endorse him,’ Trump stated in a TRUTH Social post Wednesday evening. Goldman, who is running to represent a district that includes parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, represented Democrats in the first impeachment trial of Trump. ‘I do this not because of the fact that he headed up the Impeachment Committee and lost, but because he was honorable, fair, and highly intelligent. While it was my honor to beat him, and beat him badly, Dan Goldman has a wonderful future ahead,’ Trump stated.”

NY-10 debate is a lion’s den for Daniel Goldman, by POLITICO’s Joe Anuta: Strong polling and a coveted endorsement — along with a nod from former President Donald Trump — had opponents circling former federal prosecutor Dan Goldman Wednesday, during the last major televised debate for New York’s 10th Congressional District. But tension between two sitting New York City legislators also exposed a simmering struggle for the progressive lane as the Aug. 23 contest for the open House seat covering lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn draws to a close. Goldman drew fire from others in the field for the money he has poured into the race — the Tribeca resident is an heir to the Levi Strauss & Co. fortune and has vastly outspent his opponents after digging deep into his own pockets for some $4 million. And in a curious turn of events, Goldman, who served as counsel to House Democrats during Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial, got Trump’s endorsement just before Wednesday’s debate.

“Investments in Grand Canyon University, a pro-life Arizona school, prompt political attacks in heated NY-10 House race,” by New York Daily News’ Michael Gartland: “At least four candidates running to represent the 10th Congressional District are invested in Grand Canyon Education, a for-profit, publicly-traded company that runs Grand Canyon University, which has publicly espoused an extremely anti-abortion viewpoint. Dan Goldman, a former federal prosecutor and the current frontrunner in the race, holds an investment of up to $15,000 in the company, financial disclosure forms show. Councilwoman Carlina Rivera, Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon and former Rep. Liz Holtzman are also each invested in mutual funds that hold positions in Grand Canyon Education — but all three of those candidates contend that one of the four investments is not like the others.”

CARL COMMENTS: “On radio show, Paladino said Merrick Garland ‘probably should be executed'; he later said he was being ‘facetious,’” by Buffalo News’ Ben Tsujimoto: “When Paladino was asked by Boyle about two minutes later to explain what he meant by his execution comment, Paladino backtracked. ‘I’m just being facetious,’ Paladino said. ‘The man should be removed from office. He shows his incompetence, he wants to get his face in front of the people and show he’s got some mettle to him, but his choice of issues and choice of methodology is very sad.’ Responding to a request for comment Wednesday, Paladino’s spokesperson Vish Burra reiterated that the congressional candidate was joking and that no further statement from Paladino was necessary. ‘The comment is clear: Carl does not think Garland should be executed and when you listen to the interview, when asked what he meant, he stated he was being facetious,’ Burra said.”

“House Dem campaign chief Maloney accused of fundraising switcheroo,” by New York Post’s Zach Williams: “Campaign finance has become a double-edged sword for embattled Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney as he fights for his political life against lefty state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, who is accusing him of deploying ‘deceptive’ fundraising tactics ahead of the Aug. 23 primary. ‘Maloney is asking for money to help Democrats defeat Trump — but the link goes to his own fundraising page for his primary election against me,’ Biaggi tweeted Tuesday night, attaching images of a mass text sent by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chief. Maloney spokeswoman Mia Ehrenberg responded by claiming the fundraising outreach was for the November midterms rather than the primary before slamming Biaggi for breaking with Albany Democrats on key issues.”

TRUMP'S NEW YORK

“Plea Deal Requires Weisselberg to Testify at Trump Organization Trial,” by the New York Times’ Ben Protess, William K. Rashbaum and Jonah E. Bromwich: “Allen H. Weisselberg, who for decades was one of Donald J. Trump’s most trusted executives, is expected to plead guilty on Thursday to a long-running tax scheme at the former president’s family business — a serious blow to the company that could imperil its chances in an upcoming trial. The plea deal will allow Mr. Weisselberg, who was facing up to 15 years in prison, to spend as little as 100 days behind bars, according to people with knowledge of the matter. And it does not require Mr. Weisselberg, the Trump Organization’s longtime chief financial officer, to cooperate with the Manhattan district attorney’s office in its broader investigation into Mr. Trump, who has not been accused of wrongdoing. But Mr. Weisselberg is expected to admit to all 15 felonies he was charged with and will have to testify about his role in a scheme to avoid paying taxes on lavish corporate perks, the people said.”

AROUND NEW YORK

— The carriage horse that recently collapsed in Manhattan has been removed from the city for veterinary care.

— A single app will now offer tickets and information for both LIRR and MetroNorth.

— AG Tish James is part of a coalition of 17 attorneys general who filed an amicus brief to block a voter-suppression law in Florida.

— Health insurance rates for both individual market and small group plans are increasing next year, but mostly not as much as the insurance companies wanted.

— The 9/11 Tribute Museum is closing its doors.

— Jehovah’s Witnesses are back at the Erie County Fair.

— The Catskills hotel that inspired “Dirty Dancing” burned down.

— Community advocates rallied for pedestrian safety after a fatal crash in Queens.

— A new rule has made it harder for people incarcerated at Sing Sing to get fresh produce.

SOCIAL DATA

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: former Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, now of Warburg Pincus … WSJ’s Sadie Gurman … CNN’s Simone Pathe … Austan Goolsbee … WaPo’s Eric Wemple … Jason Furman … Lincoln Foran … Emily D’Antonio

MEDIAWATCH — Azi Paybarah is joining the Washington Post as a national politics breaking news reporter. He has been a New York Times reporter and is a POLITICO New York alum. … Julie Bloom has been named the Live editor of the N.Y. Times. She most recently has been deputy editor on the paper’s national desk. … Jennifer Hughes has been named U.S. markets editor at the Financial Times, while Eric Platt has been named senior corporate finance correspondent at the paper.

MAKING MOVES — Kensey Johnson is now senior paid marketing lead for audience development at Amazon. She most recently was associate director for performance media strategy for AT&T’s OMG.

ENGAGED — Chukwudi “Chudi” Motanya, management consultant manager with EY, on Saturday proposed to Kate Pascucci, VP of marketing at MedSitter, at Taughannock Falls State Park, a stone’s throw away from her alma mater, Cornell. The couple met when he was working at a Starbucks and wearing a University of Seville sweatshirt. She saw him and chatted because she had also studied there. The two exchanged cards and matched on Bumble a month later and started dating. Pic ... Another pic

Real Estate

“Pizza? Bagels? Nope. You Need Banh Mi to Get Employees Back to the Office,” by Wall Street Journal’s Alex Janin: “When bosses first tried to lure people back to the office with free food, the doubters said a lukewarm pizza slice or plastic-wrapped bagel could never measure up to the convenience of working from home. Two lessons for business have since emerged. First, never underestimate the number of workers willing to be bribed. Second, the food had better be good. Bassel Alesh, a 25-year-old software engineer at ClassPass in New York City, said he preferred working from home on Wednesdays, usually his busiest day, until the office started hosting a midweek lunch.”