Stefanik Blasts Hochul for Expanding Commuter Tax to Capital District in New York

Governor Kathy Hochul is facing renewed backlash over her tax policies after announcing the expansion of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) commuter tax to cover riders in the Capital District. The move comes as part of her push to extend Metro-North service to Albany-Rensselaer, but critics argue it amounts to yet another burden on already struggling New Yorkers.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, Chairwoman of the House Republican Conference and a frequent critic of Hochul, blasted the governor’s plan in a statement Monday, accusing her of prioritizing revenue over affordability.

“At a time when New Yorkers are struggling with the affordability crisis because of Kathy Hochul’s painful tax and spend policies, Kathy Hochul is forcing a painful commuter tax on hardworking New Yorkers,” Stefanik said.

The commuter tax, originally tied to downstate transit riders, will now apply to Capital Region commuters as part of Hochul’s expansion of Metro-North. Stefanik characterized the policy as an effort to cover what she described as the governor’s mismanagement of the MTA.

“New Yorkers are not duped by Kathy Hochul’s expansion of Metro North to Albany-Rensselaer, this is Hochul’s latest desperate attempt to raise taxes on Capital Region riders who will now be forced to pay the commuter tax,” she continued.

Stefanik also tied the commuter tax expansion to what she called Hochul’s failed record on affordability, pointing to New York’s standing as one of the most heavily taxed states in the nation.

“This is on top of the fact that under Kathy Hochul’s failed leadership, New York is the highest taxed state in the nation,” Stefanik said. “New Yorkers are not stupid, this is a painful tax hike to raise revenue for Kathy to try to shore up the disastrous run MTA. The MTA is the worst run authority in the nation run by the Worst Governor in America and now she’s raising taxes on Upstate New Yorkers to pay for it!”

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Stefanik Blasts Hochul for Expanding Commuter Tax to Capital District