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Photograph of Sam Mellins in front of a photo of Route 17 in New York, showing signs to Scranton and Syracuse.
New York’s Secret Senate, Highway Love, and Political Machines: 2024 in Review

New York Focus reporter Sam Mellins reflects on what he learned this year, and teases what lies ahead for 2025.

Sam Mellins   ·   December 23, 2024
Governors Kathy Hochul and Josh Shapiro spliced together
Josh Shapiro Is Using Highway Money to Save Mass Transit. Could Hochul Follow?

New York has a little-noticed tool to shift billions of highway dollars to climate-friendly public transit projects. The governor doesn’t seem interested.

Sam Mellins   ·   December 9, 2024
Kathy Hochul in front of a map of New York Route 17.
A $1.3 Billion Project That Would Save Drivers Six Minutes Max

As the state’s plans to get New Yorkers out of their cars stall, Governor Hochul is championing a highway expansion in the Hudson Valley.

Sam Mellins   ·   September 24, 2024
The image depicts a traffic jam in New York City, with a cluster of yellow taxi cabs at the front.
New Yorkers Are Driving More, Even as Climate Plan Hinges on Driving Less

From New York City to Buffalo, people are driving a lot more than they did before the pandemic.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   September 17, 2024
Donald Trump walking
Trump Plans to Kill Congestion Pricing. Hochul’s Pause Could Let Him.

There are at least three ways a Trump administration could try to stop the transit-funding toll.

Sam Mellins   ·   August 26, 2024
Hochul at a podium
Hochul Punts on How to Reduce Traffic and Pollution in NYC

Hochul says she’s working with the legislature to replace congestion pricing, but key legislators say they aren’t aware of any conversations.

Sam Mellins   ·   August 9, 2024
A Long Island Rail Road conductor standing inside a train gestures with his hand.
Why Did the MTA’s Union Turn Against Congestion Pricing?

Before Kathy Hochul paused it, the tolling program lost the little labor support it had when the Transport Workers Union withdrew its backing this spring.

Julia Rock   ·   July 26, 2024
An electric MTA bus is charging at an electric charging port.
New York Idles on Green Transportation Plan

As the state has backpedaled on congestion pricing, it has made no progress on nearly half of its other transit-related climate goals.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   July 15, 2024
Where Do Top New York Politicians Stand on Hochul’s Congestion Pricing Pause?

Some of the state’s top Democrats slammed the governor, while others supported the pause or stayed mum. Republicans want congestion pricing killed altogether.

Sam Mellins   ·   July 2, 2024
Governor Kathy Hochul at an event
Hochul Waves Away Questions on Congestion Pricing Replacement

After the governor declined to answer questions, a New York Focus reporter was ejected from her event.

Sam Mellins   ·   June 24, 2024
MTA workers in a tunnel
Does Anyone Have a Backup Plan to Fund the MTA?

We asked 26 lawmakers who support the congestion pricing pause how they propose to fund transit upgrades. Most shrugged.

Sam Mellins   ·   June 21, 2024
Traffic on a Manhattan street
Hochul Halts Congestion Pricing as Manhattan Traffic Reaches Record High

The constant gridlock is a major drag on Manhattan’s businesses, and source of frustration for commuters. And it’s never been so bad.

Sam Mellins and Colin Kinniburgh   ·   June 12, 2024
A blurred Kathy Hochul
Hochul in Hiding as Congestion Pricing Hangs by a Thread

Since announcing her plan to put the program on ice, the governor has not appeared in public.

Sam Mellins   ·   June 7, 2024
Kathy Hochul in front of traffic
Is Hochul’s Plan to Stop Congestion Pricing Legal?

Lawsuits had threatened to kill congestion pricing. Now, it might take a lawsuit to save it.

Julia Rock   ·   June 6, 2024
A New York City subway on the left, and highway traffic on the right.
Flush With Biden’s Infrastructure Cash, New York Is Choosing Highways Over Public Transit

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law directed billions toward public transit in New York, but the state is choosing to spend billions more on highways.

Sam Mellins   ·   February 5, 2024
A photo of an electric charging station with an "EVolve NY" banner
The Thruway Has Brand New Rest Stops. Where Are the EV Chargers?

They’re on their way, officials promise. But they’re years late.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   July 26, 2023
How Hochul Plans to Build Hundreds of Thousands of Homes Near Train Stations

The governor’s proposal for “transit-oriented development” has so far gotten a mixed reception from suburban legislators, who killed a similar plan last year.

Sam Mellins   ·   February 2, 2023
Bomb Dogs, ‘Goon Squad,’ Subway Cops: Who’s Making a Killing in NYPD Overtime

Eric Adams pledged to cut police overtime in half. Instead, his initiatives helped it soar to the second-highest level on record.

Chris Gelardi   ·   November 16, 2022
Most of New York Gas Tax Holiday Savings Don’t Go to New Yorkers, Analysis Finds

Out of every dollar the gas tax suspension costs the state, less than 50 cents are going into New Yorkers’ pockets.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   October 26, 2022
New York Lawmakers Look to Boost E-Bikes After Federal Snub

The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act turbocharges the market for electric cars at the expense of other forms of transit. A New York bill aims to help e-bikes catch up.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   August 30, 2022
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