00:00The nation's largest commuter rail system is at a standstill.
00:03Workers on the Long Island Railroad, which moves about 300,000 people each weekday,
00:08are on strike, demanding higher wages to keep up with inflation.
00:12It took very little time after the strike began at midnight on Saturday for the political
00:16finger-pointing to start. New York Governor Kathy Hochul fired the first shot, claiming,
00:21quote, the disruption that Long Islanders face starting tonight is a direct result of reckless
00:25actions by the Trump administration to cut mediation short and push these negotiations
00:30towards strike. The president naturally fired back, posting, quote, no, Kathy, it's your fault.
00:35And now looking over the facts, you should not have allowed this to happen.
00:39If you can't solve it, let me know and I'll show you how to properly get things done.
00:43Now, Hochul is currently running for re-election against Trump-backed Republican Bruce Blakeman.
00:49Blakeman later slammed Hochul for blaming the president and then called on her to suspend
00:53her much-maligned congestion pricing toll. So, commuters who can't take the LIRR can drive
00:59into Manhattan during the strike fee-free. If you don't live in the city, this thing is a toll
01:03to get in and out of the busiest areas of Manhattan aimed at reducing traffic congestion.
01:08Pretty much everyone who drives or rides in a car freaking hates it, myself included.
01:13As of Sunday, Hochul said pausing the toll simply isn't an option legally.
Comments