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Trump touts immigration crackdown despite concerns about due process; NY faces potential impacts from federal vote on emissions standards; ND Tribes can elevate tourism game with new grants; WA youth support money for Medicaid, not war.

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Major shifts in environmental protections, immigration enforcement, civil rights as Trump administration reshapes government priorities. Rural residents and advocates for LGBTQ youth say they're worried about losing services.

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Migration to rural America increased for the fourth year, technological gaps handicap rural hospitals and erode patient care, and doctors are needed to keep the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians healthy and align with spiritual principles.

NYers push back on federal attempts to end 'congestion pricing'

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Monday, February 24, 2025   

As the U.S. Department of Transportation tries to end New York City's congestion pricing program, the move is getting some pushback from people who say the program is working.

In a letter rescinding federal support, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called congestion pricing "a slap in the face" to working-class Americans and small business owners.

But Renae Reynolds, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, said congestion pricing has been successful, despite a delayed launch.

"A 50% reduction in traffic entering into the Central Business District, which translates to a reduction in people's commute times," said Reynolds. "That is measurable. We have seen so much time saved in folks entering though the Lincoln Tunnel."

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority filed a lawsuit against the DOT to keep congestion pricing around. Other experts have said they can't see a legal reason for the DOT to prevail, but it remains to be seen.

The program is also designed to improve air quality around the city, since less car and truck traffic leaves cleaner air to breathe. And it's generating income.

Eric A. Goldstein, senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said those funds will be spent on improving public transportation - which can further improve air quality.

"When you have an effective public transportation program, you are reducing pollution," said Goldstein, "because you're getting people out of cars and motor vehicles, and you're keeping them out of those vehicles for their daily commutes."

Not having the money from congestion pricing would mean New York State has to fully fund the MTA's next capital project plan.

That's another reason Rachael Fauss, senior policy analyst with Reinvent Albany, said ending the program would affect the entire state.

"There are vendors that contract with the MTA in every single congressional district in New York State," said Fauss. "There's massive rail car manufacturing, bus manufacturing in upstate New York, and those businesses would be also losing out on contracts they would get with the MTA for its capital program."





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