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Friday, June 14, 2024
Vol. 99, No. 24
EDIA PRESENTS B L A N K S L AT E M
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LEADERS COUNTY OF NASSAU G AWARDS EVENT NETWORKIN
A BLANK SLATE MEDIA
SPECIAL SECTION
| JUNE 14, 2024
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DeSENA SAYS CHANGES COMING
SUOZZI, D’ESPOSITO BLAST FAA OVER FLIGHTS
PAGES S1-S48
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Hochul halts congestion pricing plan
P O R T U G A L D AY
Nassau Democrats applaud 11th hour change, D’Esposito calls move political BY TAY L O R H E R Z L I C H Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that she was halting the long-awaited MTA congestion pricing plan just weeks before tolls were set to hit New Yorkers. The move elicited support from Long Island Democrats and Republicans. The governor said while the plan was initially created pre-pandemic with noble causes in mind, such as reducing city traffic and vehicle emissions and boosting funds for MTA capital projects, it is unfair for workers who are now being “hammered on costs.” “Circumstances have changed and we must respond to the facts on the ground, not from the rhetoric from five years ago,” Hochul said in a video Wednesday. “I have directed the MTA to indefinitely pause the program.” The tolls were set to hit commuters June 30, MTA officials said. Car drivers would face a $15 charge to enter Manhattan at 61st St. and below, truck drivers would face a $24 to $36 charge, depending on their vehicle size, and motorcycle drivers would face a $7.50 charge. The congestion pricing plan was crafted when city tourism was high and crime was low, the governor
said. Now, in a post-pandemic world, she said inflation and the strain on middle- and working-class families is “just too much.” While many have criticized the congestion pricing plan, especially Long Island and New Jersey representatives whose constituents often commute into the city for work, proponents of the plan argued that it would alleviate traffic and generate much-needed revenue for the MTA. Some environmentalists have said they are disappointed in the governor’s move, pointing to similar tolls across the globe that are meant to boost public transit conditions. Despite his outspoken opposition to the plan, Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (CD-4) slammed the program pause. He called for a harsher response and accused Hochul of playing politics. “Gov. Hochul is realizing her constant nickel and diming of taxpayers is widely loathed across New York,” D’Esposito said in a statement, “but we can’t allow Hochul and her Democratic allies to merely delay the implementation of this new tax until after the election for solely political purposes, and we will continue the bipartisan effort to ensure this bad policy is canceled permanently.” Continued on Page 37
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE VILLAGE OF MINEOLA
The Village of Mineola celebrated Portuguese culture at the Portugal Day Parade on Sunday.
Mineola robotics team headed to championship B Y T A Y L O R H E R Z L I C H Optimum representative present- ola.
North Hempstead Town Supered the team with a $2,000 award visor Jennifer DeSena and Legislator The Village of Mineola board Wednesday night. After the ceremony, village offi- Scott Strauss attended the Village congratulated the Mineola High School Robotics Team on qualifying cials encouraged residents to attend Hall robotics team ceremony. for the World Championship and an various upcoming activities in MineContinued on Page 38
B L A N K S L AT E M E D I A P R E S E N T S
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LEADERS OF NASSAU COUNTY NETWORKING AWARDS EVENT
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