According to a recent Siena College survey, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s favorability and job approval ratings are at their lowest ever. Her approval rating stands at 44%, a record low, with 50% of respondents disapproving of her performance as governor. Additionally, her favorability rating is underwater at 38-49%, favorable to unfavorable. Despite these low ratings, a majority of voters in both parties support her decision to halt the state’s congestion pricing program which would have raised toll fares for commuters to New York City.
While Hochul maintains a two-to-one favorability rating among Democrats as well as a strong job approval rating, she is viewed unfavorably by the majority of Republicans and independents. President Biden’s favorability has also hit an all-time low in the Empire State at 42%, and he continues to lead former President Trump by single digits in the upcoming election. Trump has strong support from Republicans and leads Biden among independents. A gender gap has also reopened with men favoring Trump and women supporting Biden.
The congestion pricing plan in New York was set to begin on June 30 but was put on hold by Hochul earlier this month due to concerns about voter backlash in the upcoming election. The plan aims to improve air quality and reduce traffic in New York City. Hochul made the decision to delay the program in order to support the “little guy” and focus on a greener future. Republican critics have labeled the plan as a tax on commuters, while left-wing activists have criticized Hochul’s decision for depriving the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of needed funding.
Support for Hochul’s decision to delay congestion pricing was strongest among suburban voters, who backed the move by 56%. The first-in-the-nation congestion pricing plan had faced opposition from various figures including New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, former President Trump, and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The plan would have included various charges for different types of vehicles, with most private passenger car drivers expected to pay around $15 per trip. The Siena College survey, which included 805 registered voters, found that the majority of voters planned to watch the upcoming debate between Trump and Biden, with the race remaining close.
In conclusion, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s approval and favorability ratings are at an all-time low, with a majority of voters supporting her decision to halt the congestion pricing plan. The upcoming election in New York continues to be close, with Biden leading Trump by single digits. Hochul’s decision to delay the plan has received mixed reactions, with critics calling it a tax on commuters and left-wing activists claiming it will deprive transportation authorities of needed funding. Suburban voters have shown the strongest support for Hochul’s decision, backing the move by 56%. The upcoming debate between Trump and Biden could impact the race, with the last time the presidential election being as close as it is now in New York being in 1988.
