Hochul presses Trump on mass transit, infrastructure, but no deals announced

Gov. Kathy Hochul met with President Donald Trump at the White House Friday to discuss the state’s needs for federal funding for infrastructure projects, but there were no agreements, according to a Hochul spokeswoman.

"While no formal agreements or decisions were reached, it was a productive conversation and we look forward to continuing the dialogue in the coming weeks," said Emma Wallner.

The White House had no immediate comment.

According to Hochul’s office, the morning meeting included discussion on redevelopment of the Penn Station rail hub where two proposals would renovate the dingy hallways in the lower levels used by tourists and commuters. Other topics included the state’s congestion pricing program which charges a fee to enter the busiest part of Manhattan.

Trump has shown opposition to congestion pricing and the $9 basic fee charged to drivers. The fees are supposed to help fund mass transit under the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, including improvements to the Long Island Rail Road.

The governor’s office said Hochul and Trump also discussed Trump’s threats to use tariffs against Canada, which is a major trading partner with New York State. Also discussed was a planned petroleum pipeline that requires state approval because it would be located in part of the state. Trump has threatened to try to override the state and approve use of land for the pipeline, which would provide fossil fuels to the nation’s Northeast.

Hochul said Thursday that the meeting was a follow-up to a visit to Trump a couple weeks ago, when many of the same topics were discussed. Since then, Hochul and the state Democratic Party she heads have been sharply critical of the Republican president.

Hochul has opposed Trump’s plans to cut the Medicaid health care program for the poor, Social Security for seniors and a plan for mass deportation of immigrants.

"We’ve got a fight on our hands," Hochul said Thursday.

By Michael Gormley

michael.gormley@newsday.com@GormleyAlbany

Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.