Thursday’s Headlines: Congestion Pricing in the Court Edition
The big news yesterday was the latest court discussion over congestion pricing. As all the outlets reported — NY Post, Streetsblog, NYDN — it's pretty clear that the feds really do think New York must end congestion pricing on April 20. Meanwhile, the MTA is saying, "Yeah, you and what army?"
12:01 AM EDT on April 10, 2025
The big news yesterday was the latest court discussion over congestion pricing. As all the outlets reported — NY Post, Streetsblog, NYDN — it’s pretty clear that the feds really do think New York must end congestion pricing on April 20. Meanwhile, the MTA is saying, “Yeah, you and what army?”
Indeed, if the feds wanted the tolls shut off on 4/20, they could seek an injunction — but, as Dave Colon pointed out the other day — they aren’t.
For now, at least, will someone tell U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that New York City has nothing to do with congestion pricing? He seems to think — judging from his lawyers’ argument — that his new pal Mayor Adams could just turn off the tolls.
Wrong again, Sean.
In other news:
- We don’t often lead with the business pages (but the back page today is bad news), but Crain’s had a good story about how Steven “Friday is Dead!” Roth may pivot to housing near Penn Station. Hat tip goes to rising star Assembly Member Tony Simone, who has been leading on this.
- A school bus driver hit a mother and child in Brooklyn. (Patch)
- The Times went full puff piece on NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, whose successes at 125 Worth St. and at 1 Police Plaza we have, admittedly, also admired. But it’s worth noting: The last time an NYPD Commissioner overshadowed the boss this dramatically, Giuliani fired him.
- Hey, NY Post, I thought you said all the billionaires were leaving New York City.
- Like Streetsblog, Hell Gate covered the reduction in open street hours in Dimes Square.
- Our friends at Open Plans did their take on the City Council’s willful destruction of outdoor dining:
- Finally, I like my boss just fine, but please shoot me if I ever use taxpayer resources to kiss his ass in such a gratuitous manner:

Tabloid legend Gersh Kuntzman has been with New York newspapers since 1989, including stints at the New York Daily News, the Post, the Brooklyn Paper and even a cup of coffee with the Times. He's also the writer and producer of "Murder at the Food Coop," which was a hit at the NYC Fringe Festival in 2016, and “SUV: The Musical” in 2007. He also writes the Cycle of Rage column, which is archived here.
Read More:
More from Streetsblog New York City
As NYC Debates Amazon’s Delivery Model, Its Partner Fires 200 E-Bike Workers
Just as the City Council debates reining in Amazon's business practices, the delivery giant threw workers of the job after canceling its contract with a Manhattan subcontractor.
November 12, 2026
Brooklyn’s New Bike Boulevards Will Benefit the 90 Percent of Residents Who Don’t Drive To Work
Nine out of ten Brooklynites living around the proposed bike route commute to work without a car, but lazy reporters would rather write a "neighborhood divided" piece with no context.
November 12, 2026
GET OUT: E-Bike Battery Fires are a Crisis We Can No Longer Ignore
New York City must confiscate sub-standard ebike batteries that cause deadly fires. A surcharge could pay for the sweep.
November 12, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines: Let’s Talk BQE Edition
Now's your chance to speak out against the mayor's plan to keep the BQE in place for another half-century. Plus the news.
November 12, 2026
Feds Characterize Trump As Mercurial King In Latest Bid to End Congestion Pricing
The federal government insists that you can't count on the federal government to keep its word.
November 11, 2026