New Yorkers seem angry about the new system of “congestion pricing” that has gone into effect this year. But I can see an opportunity for the state’s politicians to mitigate the growing backlash. Back in November, two months before the pricing kicked in, Hochul announced that, instead of charging $15 per toll when the rules went into effect, New York would instead charge $9. This, she said, represented a “reduction in tolls” that would “save drivers up to $1,500 annually.”

That being so, Hochul has the chance to save drivers even more this year. All she has to do to achieve this is to announce that, as of next year, the price will be $1,000 per toll, and then, a few days later, drop it to $15, thereby saving the city’s residents $985 each time they drive — and ensuring their gratitude forever.