I think New York, both at the state and city level, really needs to tackle the root cause of why these illegal smoke shops are popping up everywhere. Cannabis and tobacco smuggling are clearly out of control, and until we address why these markets are so lucrative, we'll keep seeing these shops. It's time for a comprehensive strategy that not only enforces current laws but also looks at how we can undercut the profitability of smuggling through better regulation and legal market support. The high regressive taxes on tobacco and cannabis in NYC have made legal products prohibitively expensive, severely impacting bodegas, newsstands, and legal dispensaries. This taxation isn't just hurting these small businesses; it's fueling an out-of-control black market for smuggled goods. The consequence? A noticeable surge in violent crimes like robberies, shootings, and stabbings targeting these very establishments. The city and state need to reconsider these tax policies by extinguishing the black markets if they truly want to reduce crime and support local businesses because New York is hemorrhaging about $1 billion annually due to its high regressive taxation on tobacco and cannabis products which is driving bodegas and newsstands that sell legal cigarettes and dispensaries that sell legal marijuana, all out of business because people are increasingly turning to illegal black market sources, like these illegal smoke shops as legal cigarettes can cost up to $20 and legal marijuana can go for $50-$100. The insane regressive taxation and over-regulation are directly responsible for the explosion of illegal smoke shops and the rampant black market smuggling we're seeing across the city. It's the poor and working-class New Yorkers who are bearing the brunt of this policy, as they either turn to illegal markets or face the financial strain from legal purchases. It's far better for New York to tax the rich and big corporations instead of the poor and the working class. — Nico on What’s to do about the few remaining illegal smoke shops?

They're installed on the undersides of the foot bridges that cross West Street. — LS on Congestion pricing is here

You enter the zone either at the bridges, tunnels or 60th Street. — Tribeca Citizen on Congestion pricing is here

You will be tolled when you ENTER the zone, either by coming in through/on a tunnel/bridge or by crossing 60th Street in any fashion. — Tribeca Citizen on Clarity — finally — on one angle of congestion pricing for Downtown residents

I live in the CBD (FiDi) my parking garage entrance is on the West Side Highway (not on the side streets/city grid) will I be charged to enter my garage when coming back into the city if I’m on the West Side Highway or FDR? — Bee on Clarity — finally — on one angle of congestion pricing for Downtown residents

I checked two of the BPC intersections with West Street and didn’t see anything that looks like the cameras they have installed at 60th Street, https://gothamist.com/news/mta-congestion-pricing-infrared-cameras so how will they know when cars enter? — Hudson River on Congestion pricing is here

My family supports Chris Marte. We especially appreciate his authenticity, his interest in constituents and his work. Not interested in more luxury real estate candidates. — lisa on Congestion pricing is here

This building needs to be saved. — Brian Uy on A fake bar for Netflix at the Seaport

Because your car is entering a zone that is highly congested, where people who want to take a bus downtown are impacted by your ride. I have a car, leave in the CBD zone and I would prefer not to pay a fee, but it is necessary. — Battery Park resident on Clarity — finally — on one angle of congestion pricing for Downtown residents

It was available for you to rent if you had a better idea . . . — Reademan on The family from Beef Bar has taken the Sarabeth’s corner

Most people don’t have a choice? They do, though they might not like their choices. — Manhattanmommie on Congestion pricing is here

they need to get rid of all those bike lanes to reduce traffic. also residents who live in the congestion zone should not be tolled to go home. they are not going below 60th street for luxury. — cannon on ICYMI, Congestion pricing is back

well normally agree with TC on most things but this is one of those rare occasions I think you are being generous. Effectively it's a tax, most people don't have a choice and the alternatives are not what they should be - as published here. It's raised at every part of the day regardless of congestion which actually ebbs and flows. It's designed to maximize revenue not to manage traffic. No new roads have been built, they have all been previously paid for. Other tolls normally produce a new road. There is no free time particularly in the evenings when restaurants, the arts etc want people coming to them. Other congestions charges are not charged at peak hours. It's a tax. But it's happening. Hope it leads to real investment and improvement in the Subways. Worth checking in on that here in one and two years time. — Will on Congestion pricing is here

Could this make the NJ to Brooklyn (and vice versa) route through Staten Island and the Verrazano Bridge more attractive than the Holland Tunnel/Manhattan Bridge via Canal Street option? One can hope. — Laura on Congestion pricing is here

No. I have written about this a lot -- look at this post and others. In short, if you start and end in the zone, and do not cross a river or 60th Street, you are not tolled. — Tribeca Citizen on Congestion pricing is here

We are in the middle -- 75-90 persons per acre. Densest: Yorkville at 150 or more. Least dense: Riverdale, northern Queens. — Tribeca Citizen on Retail Report Part I: What we’ve gained and where we stand

No, you have to enter a highway and then cross 60th or a bridge or tunnel to get charged. — Tribeca Citizen on Congestion pricing is here

Well, you can come in any time without a toll by public transportation. That is why it is called a toll and not a tax... — Tribeca Citizen on Congestion pricing is here

Actually it is, as is Pier 40 and Waterside. That is just a graphic representation of the plan... — Tribeca Citizen on Congestion pricing is here

But BPC is not part of the congestion zone. On the map it looks like the areas on the water side of West Street and the FDR are not included. — Hudson River on Congestion pricing is here

Previously posted that this is a tax not congestion charge as it is not waived at off peak say 7pm (as in other cities like London). This allows people to come in for free to go to a restaurant, enjoy a night out etc and visit on a weekend. The can enjoy the city and critically support NY businesses. If it stays as is it should called a straight tax should be called that. Would only now add that timing is also odd as the subway and public transport is getting more and more dangerous. Will we see the city and state move towards making the public transport safe again or continue policy of soft/zero policing ? If you want people to move back to public transport it can't just be tax them so they can't afford to get to work or visit the city (can it ?) but has to be make public transport more comfortable and safe. I like public transport but would hesitate to use it at certain times of the day or to take my family on it. Pushing people under trains, random attacks, getting set on fire, it's hard to blame people for wanting to use a car. I am sure stats will say crossing the road is more dangerous but I myself can control how to cross a road and maximize safety and minmise risk. I can't control for random attacks or events in a crowded environment that is recognized to have low policing and law enforcement. Love the city, feel lucky to live here, not going anywhere. Just surprised that the tax revenue raised, which is massive compared to equivalent global cities - 15-20% higher than say London)-s not leading to better transport etc. Where is it all going ? — Will on Congestion pricing is here

No. — Komanoff on Congestion pricing is here

for my ASP people - assuming you have been parked in tribeca and are just moving your vehicle to a new spot for alternate side parking - if you drive west down N Moore, onto west st, and re-enter the zone via Vestry/Hubert/Chambers - is there a charge? — bob on Congestion pricing is here

A major concern that I don’t think is being discussed enough is that the overcrowding of the sidewalks is forcing people to walk in the streets. Eventually this is going to sadly lead to someone being seriously injured or worse. And it will have been completely preventable. I’ve been a resident for decades, but lately it seems as if this area is more crowded than ever with illegal vendors. When does this reach a breaking point? — S on What can be done about counterfeit vendors?

@mg: Your layman's hunch matches up with what Tribeca resident (and attorney) Jess Coleman wrote yesterday, on Twitter: "NJ’s basis for its case is the Dormant Commerce Clause, which appears nowhere in the constitution and is an incredibly amorphous area of law. "The judge rejected NJ’s case, except for one tiny point, which even the judge admitted in a footnote was dealt with in the supplemental record, but declined to consider it because of a technicality. "The judge then decided to remand to a federal agency to do… something. It’s not clear. It was a made up problem with a made up remedy. "So here we are. A democratically enacted piece of legislation, creating a simple toll, is currently in limbo because our legal system has become an undemocratic, Kafkaesque institution that creates bespoke solutions for blocking progressive policies. "I hope the judge makes the right decision. But this saga is a perfect illustration that our entire system of policymaking in this country is severely broken." As you probably know, Jess is running in the 2025 Democratic primary to unseat CM Chris Marte. Jess's legal acumen, policy chops, and, yes, unequivocal support for congestion pricing are some of the reasons I'm backing his candidacy. — Komanoff on Congestion pricing is here