New York state legislators are pushing for decisions on three New York City casino licenses in an effort to generate Metropolitan Transit Authority funding lost by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D-NY) decision to delay her congestion pricing plan.

The MTA, the city’s transit authority, would’ve received much of the money generated by the Manhattan tolls, but now lawmakers are seeking to fill the funding gaps with billions of dollars from casino operators for licenses. A bill speeding up the awarding of the licenses only needs to be signed by Hochul after passing the state Assembly and Senate.

“We have to bring the casino deals to fruition — the MTA needs the money,” state Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee Co-Chairman Gary Pretlow, who recently co-sponsored a bill to set up a faster time frame for getting the licenses awarded, said.

“The governor could open the bidding process right now, and that could help the MTA,” Pretlow said.

State Sen. Joe Addabbo said the state could receive “$2.5 billion to $3 billion just from the casino licenses.” That money would replace the projected $1 billion-a-year windfall the MTA would’ve received if Hochul hadn’t delayed congestion pricing, a move that has caused a massive stir among New Yorkers who yearned for additional funding for the transit agency and less auto traffic in the city.

Hochul cited inflation for her decision to delay the toll, which would’ve charged passenger vehicles $15 to enter certain parts of Manhattan during peak hours.

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“A $15 charge might not seem like a lot to someone who has the means, but it can break the budget of a hardworking or middle-class household,” Hochul said. “It puts the squeeze on the very people who make this city go.”

The casino licensing bill requires bidders to submit their casino plans by the end of August 2024.