TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Maine is a different state, mostly in climate, but also in the number of people that live at poverty level. In my business I see small businesses that are struggling to stay afloat, make a profit, feed their families, as they watch costs continue to rise. 2018 was profitable for many but 2019 had been different as taxes and costs of goods continually rise. I have lived in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine and I can tell you that Maine should not be joining with these others states in any kind of tax agreement since the disparity in the climate is huge. I see many more people living in poverty in Maine than anywhere else. For 20 years I saw the state gradually get on its feet and now this governor wants to make Maine completely unaffordable. The problem is the poor have no place to go. Many are becoming poor because of the increases in costs by this governor. The people must be the ones to make this decision.

Why is the answer to all so called problems more government? Maine is a very old and poor state, more taxes will not improve anything. Only hurt the people that choose to work for a living.

I am concerned about pollution from transportation, our largest source of global warming emissions, and its increasingly negative impact on my family's health. It is jeopardizing their welfare in the future. We must reduce pollution.

I request that Massachusetts formally join the plan to reduce emissions.

The policy must have a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access.

I appreciate and applaud the bipartisan nature of this project, which is moving us forward while the federal government takes us backward.

Thank you for your consideration and for accepting my comments.

Travel within Massachusetts, particularly commuting into Boston, has become something of a regular nightmare. We travel several times a week between Worcester, MA, where we live, and Boston or Medford, MA where we teach at Tufts University's different campuses.

My partner takes the train; I drive due to disability issues that make it hard to walk to the train and walk from the train to work. The train is quite expensive, and he has a few times been caught very late getting home (sometimes more than an hour) because of issues with the trains or tracks. Driving sometimes takes a considerable amount of time due to congestion; we worry about the possibility of traffic accidents, given the high rate in the area.

Both of us would prefer if there were faster, more reliable, cheaper transportation. It would be amazing if there were a higher-speed train that did not cost around 25 dollars to take it to Boston and back.

I'm not sure what the exact right answer is, but I know that Massachusetts must lean hard into investing in its infrastructure if we are to sustain increased population growth and a thriving economy. Otherwise, our roads will become more jammed and our air worse. Tempers will continue to flair (Masshole should not be a term!). Why not plan for the future with a state-of-the-art railway? If there were better park-and-ride options here in Worcester, I might be able to partake.

Lots to consider. The only wrong thing to do is nothing.

Thank you for your time!

I have no wish to see the beautiful state of Maine polluted with the byproducts of fossil fuels but forcing people into so called "Green" causes thru taxation is the wrong way. Invent a better fuel or promote Nuclear power. Fuel tax just hurts the little guy the most. This kind of policy is leading with the heart but has shut out the brain. Both are needed to create the result you want.

This Rouge Governor needs to go, if possible impeach, or any form. The best thing that could happen, is to get a Republican in office, and lose the many Union led losers in the General Assembly. The new Gas Tax, is a bad situation for every consituent, so lets see what our General Assembly finally does it anything.

Our Transportation Future (OTF) is a coalition of local, state, regional, and national environmental, health, scientific, transportation, and business organizations committed to modernizing transportation across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. We are sending the attached letters to the Governors of the TCI states and Mayor Bowser in support of the important work that you are your colleagues are doing at the intersection of transportation and the environment. This letter is signed by 59 organizations from across the TCI states. We ask that you please share this letter electronically with your colleagues who are part of the TCI process, as well as any others who may be interested in reading it.

I concur with my friends who oppose any attempt at revenue increases, i.e. taxes, without MA House approval. I will let my legislators know my thoughts on this also. Furthermore, spending some time in California, with their exorbitant gas taxes, and other "penalties" for owning combustible engine vehicles, I see these moves as nothing more than crushing expenses to everyone, which particularly hit lower income more (gasoline tops $4/gallon, a very large increase vis a vis current MA gas taxes.

Tax credits, desirability for EV, and cost reductions as the market finds ways to deliver at lower costs are doing much to reduce vehicle emissions. Though it doesn't matter what taxes or carbon exchange fees you charge, the average worker can not afford an EV yet.

If you want to focus your energies, somewhere, help India, China and other fast growing economies to reduce their carbon emissions. MA is flatulence in the breeze compared to the real global polluters. or you could try the US agriculture/meat industries. And let the MA House focus on taxes.

Thank you,

Chris Grande