Secretary Sean Duffy of the U.S. Department of Transportation is facing scrutiny for opposing congestion pricing in New York City using a video that misrepresents public sentiments. Duffy's Twitter-sharing of the short clip claiming that the toll is unpopular presents unverified and unclear testimonials, raising questions about the credibility of the portrayed criticism. Federal insiders find Duffy's public lobbying against an approved transportation project unusual, as the U.S. DOT usually refrains from interfering in local governance, preferring to allow states autonomy in decision-making.
Duffy's video, which labels the congestion pricing as 'very bad for business,' showcases a crucial disconnect between federal position and local realities, highlighting unusual federal interference.
'It is highly unusual for a secretary to publicly lobby against a transportation project, much less one that has already been approved,' expressed a Federal Highway Administration official.
A former U.S. DOT official commented on the unusual role Duffy is taking: 'The Department generally avoids wading into the specific policies of city or state governments.'
Duffy's portrayal of the toll as a 'cash grab' reflects a broader misunderstanding of urban transportation needs and the city's infrastructure funding challenges.
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