With a March 21 deadline to cease congestion pricing looming, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday a 30-day extension as discussions continue.

As NJBIZ reported, the Trump administration announced last month plans to terminate the controversial tolling program. That would give New York until March 21 to wind it down.

However, New York officials – including Gov. Kathy Hochul and Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Janno Lieber – refuse to shut off the cameras in the Central Business Tolling District until a judge weighs in on legal action filed by New York.

In a post on X to Hochul, Duffy said that the federal government and the president are putting New York on notice.

“Your refusal to end cordon pricing and your open disrespect towards the federal government is unacceptable,” said Duffy. “Just as your high tolls and no free road option are a slap in the face to hard working Americans, your refusal to approve two vital pipelines that will lower fuel costs by 50% are against the public’s best interests.

.@GovKathyHochul — the federal government and @POTUS are putting New York on notice.

Your refusal to end cordon pricing and your open disrespect towards the federal government is unacceptable.

Just as your high tolls and no free road option are a slap in the face to hard…

— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) March 20, 2025

“Your unlawful pricing scheme charges working-class citizens to use roads their federal tax dollars already paid to build. We will provide New York with a 30-day extension as discussions continue. Know that the billions of dollars the federal government sends to New York are not a blank check. Continued noncompliance will not be taken lightly.”

‘Like I said … ‘

In response, Hochul reposted a Feb. 19 statement saying that the cameras are staying on – with a quip.

“Like I said …” said Hochul.

Like I said… https://t.co/lrnlj3pSMV

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) March 20, 2025

“The status quo remains, which means everyone can continue to expect less traffic, faster commutes, and safer streets in Manhattan,” said MTA Chief, Policy and External Relations John McCarthy in March 20 statement. “As we’ve said, there was exhaustive study, projected benefits were right, and we can’t go back to gridlock.”

New Jersey responds

Following Duffy’s announcement, Gov. Phil Murphy responded in a statement: “Every day that congestion pricing continues in Manhattan’s Central Business District is another day that hardworking New Jerseyans are unfairly tolled to line the pockets of the mismanaged MTA. New Jersey appreciates and continues to support the Federal Highway Administration’s decision to rescind its approval of the program and encourages the immediate termination of congestion pricing.”

Earlier in the day before the announcement, U.S. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th District, a longtime fierce opponent of congestion pricing, held an event in Fort Lee with lawmakers, officials and other stakeholders – calling on New York to end congestion pricing.

“From Day One, nearly six years ago when we first started this fight, we knew that the Congestion Tax was not about easing congestion or pollution, it was just a giant cash grab for New York and the MTA — all on the backs of hardworking Jersey families,” said Gottheimer. “Time’s up on New York’s Congestion Tax.”

The gubernatorial hopeful stressed that he would fight this till the end.

“And it looks like New York will ultimately lose at the final buzzer. The decision to keep the Congestion Tax cameras on is completely ludicrous. It’s literally highway robbery. We are not going to sit around and let New York stick it to hardworking Jersey families. We will keep bringing the Jersey fight until New York turns off the Congestion Tax cameras and ends their cash grab once and for all.”

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 8:46 a.m. EST March 21, 2025, to include a statement from Gov. Phil Murphy.