Tonight, on the eve of the most unpopular public policy in New York history, let's take a look at England, which is often cited by activists as a template of success for our own congestion pricing scheme.
After London's initial congestion pricing program hollowed out their city center of all but the wealthiest businesses and corporations, the government then decided to move the program outward into the surrounding communities well beyond the city center, calling them 'ULEZ' zones -- or 'Ultra Low Emission Zones' -- because there was no 'congestion' in those areas to pin the program to.
Unavoidable ULEZ cameras fenced in low-density residential areas, costing working-class people up to $50 to simply leave their homes by car. This scheme was implemented despite overwhelming opposition, with local councils often approving these cameras in the dead of night and without any public notice in order to stifle community input. Dissent was ignored. Vocal opponents were strong-armed and intimidated by activists and politicians. Sound familiar?
And now that they've built their congestion pricing utopia, a funny thing happened -- the people fought back. Vigilantes calling themselves 'Blade Runners' took up arms to liberate their neighborhoods by vandalizing and destroying the camera network. And they've been successful.
Thus far they've taken out between 1000 and 2000 cameras. The municipalities can barely keep up. And the entire program may actually be in jeopardy.
Is this what's next for New York? Activists have made no secret about their intention to not only raise congestion tolls to up to $80, but also to deploy congestion zones throughout every borough and neighborhood in the city.
You can only push people so far. Otherwise law-abiding people who follow the rules and want to be left alone can only tolerate so much nickel-and-diming by a government that seems out to screw them at every opportunity before they've had enough.
And sooner or later you reach a breaking point. Congestion pricing and ULEZ was the breaking point for these Englishmen. And it would be foolish to believe the same won't happen here in due time. A sawzall, spray paint, or butane torch is all it takes.
With any luck, President Trump will make it a priority to unwind this disaster before it gets worse. But if not, I have a feeling the war against these immoral and punitive taxes -- and the people who advocate for them -- is just beginning.