NY Governor Kathy Hochul on Working with NYC Mayor, Inflation Rebates, and Congestion Pricing

Governor-Mayor Relations in NYC

• 🤝 Governor Hochul emphasizes a historical tension between the governor and the mayor of New York City but aims to foster a collaborative relationship.
• 💡 She states her goal is to avoid hostility and one-upmanship, viewing the 8.3 million NYC residents as her constituents.
• 💰 Hochul highlights her approach of bringing resources to the city, citing her support for a billion-dollar affordable housing initiative requested by the mayor.
• ✅ She looks forward to continuing this collaborative dynamic with whomever the voters elect as the next mayor.

Inflation Rebates and Economic Strategy

• 💸 Hochul explains that her name will not be on the inflation refund checks, but they are part of a strategy to return money to New Yorkers.
• 📈 The rebates are funded by increased sales tax collections, which rose due to higher prices caused by inflation.
• 💖 She takes the struggles of New Yorkers personally, drawing from her own experiences with financial hardship, including living in a trailer park and struggling with childcare costs.

Congestion Pricing and Public Transportation

• 🚗 Hochul defends congestion pricing as a crucial funding source for public transportation, essential for the city's infrastructure.
• 🚇 She notes that 90% of commuters in the congestion zone rely on public transit and that the funding is needed to address decades of disinvestment.
• 🛍️ Contrary to fears, she states that congestion pricing has not deterred people from visiting Manhattan, with retail sales and street activity remaining strong.
• 🚕 Reduced traffic from congestion pricing has also benefited drivers like Uber and taxi operators.

Legal Battles and Federal Relations

• ⚖️ Hochul describes her ongoing legal victories against the Trump administration regarding congestion pricing, calling the monthly funding threats "hostage letters."
• 🗣️ She asserts that managing traffic is a local and state decision, not the purview of the federal government.
• 🤝 While her relationship with President Trump is complex, she acknowledges working together on issues of common interest, such as improving Penn Station.

Political Challenges and Re-election

• 🎤 Hochul dismisses criticism from Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, calling her assessment of Hochul as the "worst governor" and a "drag on the ballot" incorrect.
• 🏆 With a competitive spirit, Hochul states she has won 16 elections and is confident in her ability to win re-election, warning Republicans of potential seat losses if they challenge her.