Kathy Hochul details call with Donald Trump

Speaking to reporters in Puerto Rico, Gov. Kathy Hochul downplayed Politico’s reporting on congestion pricing. She declined to confirm whether she had spoken to federal officials about reinstituting the tolling scheme before the end of the year with a $9 charge. “I will re-emphasize what I said two days ago at a press conference in Manhattan about congestion when I was asked the same question: Conversations with the federal government are not new,” Hochul said. “We’ve had conversations, ongoing conversations… since June.” She reiterated her concerns about a $15 toll being too high and that there’s “nothing new” compared to a few days ago, and repeated that she would announce a plan before the end of the year.

Hochul said on Wednesday she had spoken to the White House about MTA funding and congestion pricing days earlier, but did not commit to reinstituting congestion pricing before Donald Trump takes office. “They understand our need to take affirmative steps to ensure that nothing compromises the MTA,” she said. Trump has said he would get rid of the tolling plan if he won.

On Friday, Hochul also confirmed that she had called Trump to congratulate him on his victory and discuss delivering for New York. “We were able to connect yesterday, we had a really lengthy call,” she told reporters. “It was very productive.” She said she raised “a number of issues” with Trump during the call, including “how important it would be to get the federal dollars for the MTA” and revitalizing Penn Station. Hochul said that Trump agreed and “pledged support” for what they discussed. Hochul also talked about the CHIPS Act that has been a boon for Central New York and that House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested Republicans would try to repeal. (He later walked back his comments.)

Despite what she described as a productive call with the president-elect, Hochul said she would be “unrelenting in protecting the rights of New Yorkers.” “We’re not compromising New York values – ever,” she said. City & State asked about recent comments from Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi, who suggested that Democrats’ support of transgender rights are costing them support. He said that Democrats should affirmatively say that “biological boys” shouldn’t play in girls’s sports. “New York has always had strong protections for the LGBTQ+ community – that is not changing,” Hochul said. “But I also say that this election is a reminder that people are focused on economic issues – how much groceries cost, whether or not they can save money for retirement.” She said that “we have those great protections in New York,” but that “it would be wise” to focus on issues that people are talking about.