New York Legislature wraps session after congestion pricing curveball

By Bill Mahoney | 06/10/2024 12:36 PM EDT

The Empire State’s governor blindsided legislators by repealing traffic congestion pricing for New York City, creating a funding hole that redirected much of the energy that might have been spent negotiating legislation.

The New York state Assembly Chamber is seen during a legislative session.

Some bills of note passed in the final hours of the New York Legislature's session. Hans Pennink/AP

ALBANY, New York — The New York Legislature completed its business for 2024 with the Assembly’s vote on its final bill of the year, shortly after 7 a.m. on Saturday.

The departure was relatively timely by Albany standards, just a little over 30 hours after the scheduled conclusion.

And based strictly on legislative accomplishments, it was a relatively quiet conclusion — jolted, of course, by Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) abruptly reversing herself on congestion pricing Wednesday.

Advocates for several prominent bills have expressed confidence in recent weeks they had enough support to pass, but their fates would come down to the Assembly’s crowded calendar.

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