As Donald Trump prepares for his second presidential inauguration in 2025, people in the lower Hudson Valley are preparing for how the incoming administration will impact their communities. Additionally, there will be new faces representing the region in Washington this year as George Latimer heads to Congress.
Journal News/lohud staff gathered to preview some of the big issues and questions that will drive debate, debate, and news as we head into 2025. We plan to share our findings over the next few days, a few subjects at a time.
Will President Trump address New York City’s congestion tolls?
An early flashpoint may be the $9 toll. On January 5, New York City will begin charging drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street.
The goal is to reduce traffic in New York City’s busiest downtown areas while raising money for mass transit improvements by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. But the plan is deeply unpopular in the suburbs, with President-elect Trump vowing to scrap it after he takes office on Jan. 20, leading to a clash between Hochul and opponents of the fee in the White House and Congress. may occur.
Details: New York City congestion tolls start January 5th. How will political headwinds affect Governor Hochul?
What would “mass deportation” look like in the lower Hudson River Valley?
President-elect Trump campaigned on a promise to deport large numbers of illegal immigrants, starting with those who have committed crimes and ending with “others.”
Now, communities along the lower Hudson River, home to significant numbers of immigrants, including illegal immigrants, and the nation are watching anxiously to see what will happen.
President Trump and future border czar Tom Homan are discussing deporting children who are born in the United States and their parents who are in the country illegally. Immigration advocates are calling on the state Legislature to pass a bill that would prohibit local police and government agencies from turning someone over to federal authorities without a warrant.
Latimer and Laura in the house
George Latimer is retiring from his position as Westchester County Executive to become a new lawmaker at the age of 71. He has decades of government experience, but will need to be flexible and able to cross the aisle if he is to make any kind of mark as a Democrat in a capital that is completely dominated by Republicans.
Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, who represents the neighboring Hudson Valley area, easily won a second term. He has a chance to do more and raise his profile even more in Republican-controlled Washington. He may also have higher ambitions, running for governor in 2026.
County Executive Race Held in Westchester, Rockland
The city of Westchester plans to hold a special election early next year to decide Latimer’s term for the remainder of his term in 2025. Thereafter, regular elections will be held in November, and the term of office will be four years. The only candidate so far is Democrat Ken Jenkins, Latimer County Deputy County Executive.
Across the Hudson River in Rockland County, Republican County Executive Ed Day plans to seek a fourth term in the office that has been in Republican hands for nearly three decades. No Democratic members have announced plans to run.
Contributed by: Chris McKenna of Lohud
