How Kathy Hochul resembles Aaron Burr, a historical villain

If you stand for nothing Burr, what will you fall for? – Aaron Burr, Sir, Hamilton Musical.

This lyric from Hamilton The Musical jumped to mind when I heard of Governor Kathy Hochul’s historic and cowardly backtracking on Congestion Pricing, her actions are those of someone who stands for nothing:

New York was just a few weeks away from becoming the first American city to adopt congestion pricing, a system designed to alleviate traffic, reduce air pollution and fund public transit. Then, at the last minute, The Governor lost her nerve, citing the dubious claim that it would hurt the working class. –– source

“Lost her nerve” is right. We’re speaking about a politician that just weeks ago met the Pope and spoke forcibly about the need to protect the environment. Upon her return to New York she is attempting to kill one of the most progressive environment policies happening in the United States. At best this is cowardice, at worst it’s malicious, and possibly makes Hochul America’s worst governor.

“Look no further than the words of Pope Francis,” Hochul said during her address. “He laid out — who we need to be looking for, what God expects us to do during our time on this planet, and how all of us, working together, will make a better place for our children and future generations to come.” – source

Here’s another clip of Governor Hochul speaking in support of Congestion Pricing last December.

Some sleepless nights later, I have realized there are more lines from Hamilton, the Musical that can be applied to this evolving story:

There’s nothing rich folks love more than going downtown and slumming it with the poor. –– The Schuyler Sisters, Hamilton Musical

A myth is that Congestion Pricing will hurt those with less resources. The people impacted by Congestion Pricing are those voluntarily deciding to drive into one of the most public transit rich areas in the world. The vast majority of New Yorkers take public transit to Lower Manhattan. A stat to remember is that more people take the New York Subway dailythan fly in the entire US daily.

I’m willing to wait for it….I am lying in wait – Wait for it, Hamilton Musical

Details are scarce but pressure from Democratic leadership appears to have played a role in The Governor’s betrayal of New Yorkers. The Governor’s actions are difficult to explain, this is a person who garnished a large number of votes, mine included, based on her support of Congestion Pricing and is now flip flopping for personal gain.

Since being one put me on the up and up again – Schuyler Defeated, Hamilton Musical

This part of the musical speaks of Aaron Burr’s decision to switch party, due do it providing the swiftest path to personal advancement. A politician who so easily says from strongly held beliefs is difficult to trust.

History is happening in Manhattan and we just happen to be in the greatest city in the world – The Schuyler Sisters, Hamilton Musical

The passion with which The Governor’s actions have been rejected, I’m writing this post on a Sunday night and thousands of calls have been made to politicians, furthers my belief that change is indeed happening and that New York is the greatest city in the world.

I for one will do my part to make Congestion Pricing a reality since “immigrants, we get the job done”.

Photo Credits: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks before President Joe Biden arrives to deliver remarks on the CHIPS and Science Act at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum in Syracuse, N.Y., in April.Adrian Kraus / AP