TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Material submitted through the TCI Public Input form from April 2019-February 2021 is viewable here. View input submitted from March 1, 2021 forward here. All material submitted on this page informed the participating jurisdictions in the 2019-2020 TCI regional policy design process. Click on the column headings to sort the submissions.

Date	First	Last	Affiliation	City	State	Input	File
1/16/2020	Paul	Vella	concerned resident	Lunenburg	Massachusetts	Human caused climate change is one of the biggest threats to life on earth and we need solutions now. We cannot keep stalling when it comes to doing something about this great problem we are... read more Human caused climate change is one of the biggest threats to life on earth and we need solutions now. We cannot keep stalling when it comes to doing something about this great problem we are facing. Transportation is one of the leading causes of carbon pollution and we need the TCI to address this problem. I am grateful that I live in a state that is willing to do something about this great threat while the federal government is choosing to worsen the problem. I hope that Massachusetts, along with other states, joins this much-needed initiative.	-
1/16/2020	Francisco	Velez	Concerned Resident	Bronxville	New York	Our transportation system is stuck in the dark ages. Traffic congestion from millions of cars and trucks are polluting our lungs and planet more than ever before. But as we enter this new decade,... read more Our transportation system is stuck in the dark ages. Traffic congestion from millions of cars and trucks are polluting our lungs and planet more than ever before. But as we enter this new decade, we have an opportunity modernize how we get from point A to point B. Request that your state formally join the plan to reduce emissions. We need a policy that has a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access.	-
2/28/2020	Mark	Vatousiou	Mr	Feedinghills	Massachusetts	Its our childrens future. Its our childrens future.	-
10/27/2019	Donna	Vatcher	Voter	Wales	Maine	Raising gas prices is cruel and unusual punishment for having to drive! Maine is a rural state and we have to drive to go anywhere. This is not going to do anything for climate control! Do not... read more Raising gas prices is cruel and unusual punishment for having to drive! Maine is a rural state and we have to drive to go anywhere. This is not going to do anything for climate control! Do not raise the gas tax!	-
12/15/2019	Michael	Vassalli	ma resident	braintree	Massachusetts	The state of ma has enough taxes. Families can not afford these tax increases and continue to live in this state. VOTE NO ON THE TCI. The state of ma has enough taxes. Families can not afford these tax increases and continue to live in this state. VOTE NO ON THE TCI.	-
2/21/2020	Jean Marie	VanWinkle	Concerned Citizen	Bedford	Virginia	Transportation is the number one source of climate pollution in the United States. That means it's time to totally reimagine the way that we transport people and goods. The... read more Transportation is the number one source of climate pollution in the United States. That means it's time to totally reimagine the way that we transport people and goods. The states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and the city of Washington, D.C., are working on a groundbreaking policy to modernize the transportation sector under the Transportation and Climate Initiative. In order for this regional plan to work, governors of these states and the mayor of Washington, D.C., must ensure that this transportation plan is bold enough to cut harmful transportation pollution at the scale needed to avert the climate crisis. We need a plan that holds large transportation polluters accountable for the pollution they create and invests in clean transportation solutions including: More public transit and electric vehicle infrastructure in rural areas Expansion of commuter rail, electric vehicles, and streets in the suburbs that are safe, walkable, and bikeable Sustainable and equitable housing near transit and electric bus fleets in urban communities I live in Bedford, VA, that does not currently provide options for public transportation. I am a senior citizen with a medical condition that may not allow me the privilege of driving a personal vehicle for the rest of my life even though I may be able to continue to live reasonably independently with some occasional assistance. Having access to public transportation would enable me to continue to do what I need to do as well as improve the quality of life for the planet and all of its inhabitants. I totally support the effort to provide an Amtrak train station here in Bedford as well as providing public transportation in some other form that will permit individuals of all physical capabilities to travel throughout the Town / County of Bedford as well as the surrounding region including Lynchburg and Roanoke.	-
2/24/2020	ann	vanneman	supporter	shrewsbury	Vermont	Dear Governor Scott, Please have VT join the Transportation and Climate Initiative. From what I read, we have more to gain by joining than not joining, especially since we will be... read more Dear Governor Scott, Please have VT join the Transportation and Climate Initiative. From what I read, we have more to gain by joining than not joining, especially since we will be benefiting financially from this effort. I hope you will agree that we need to take a stand, small state that we are, to start to do something to address our part in climate degradation. Your leadership sends a strong message to those in this state who do not pay attention to climate news, that we are ALL a part of whatever solution we devise. Please be a leader and guide us to do the right thing. Thank you, Ann Vanneman	-
10/14/2020	Mike	Vanlandingham	citizen	Shawnee	Kansas	I ask for: A cap on carbon emissions of at least 25% by 2032 An increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>35%) ... read more I ask for: A cap on carbon emissions of at least 25% by 2032 An increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>35%) Request that investments be put towards active transportation like better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit According to a recently released study by Harvard and other institutions, if the program is designed appropriately, up to 1,100 lives can be saved annually, and the region could see $11 billion in health benefits each year.	-
10/31/2019	Benay	Vania	1950	Parsonsfield	Maine	I OPPOSE the gas tax for Mainers. NO NO NO If the state needs more money.....hold a yard sale ........like a lot of people do for extra income. I OPPOSE the gas tax for Mainers. NO NO NO If the state needs more money.....hold a yard sale ........like a lot of people do for extra income.	-
2/25/2020	Sue	VanDerzee	Mrs.	Cromwell	Connecticut	It is a great first step in cooperation and recognizing the importance of reducing carbon emissions. It is a great first step in cooperation and recognizing the importance of reducing carbon emissions.	-
2/24/2020	Mary	van Son	retired	Alexandria	Virginia	I have better things to do with my life than sit in traffic and breathe fumes. Air pollution causes thousands and thousands of deaths in our country every year. Yet people want to continue to... read more I have better things to do with my life than sit in traffic and breathe fumes. Air pollution causes thousands and thousands of deaths in our country every year. Yet people want to continue to drive their fossil fuel vehicles and pollute the air our children breathe? Look outside the boundaries of America and see what other countries are doing about the traffic crisis. America is WAY behind the rest of the developed world when it comes to public transportation. We have ridden high speed rail in the UK. and Germany. Get on a train in the U.S. and you feel like you are back in the 1800's. It is embarrassing and frustrating. Making America great again means making it less dependent on fossil fuels and having a healthier environment for our citizens.	-
2/21/2020	Janet	Van Sickle	Drawdown East End	Montauk	New York	The planet is on fire, is drowning, is thawing, is gasping, is perishing. We need to get into a full scale war on global climate change. Transportation is a major fix that is within reach. The planet is on fire, is drowning, is thawing, is gasping, is perishing. We need to get into a full scale war on global climate change. Transportation is a major fix that is within reach.	-
2/28/2020	Raymond	Van Houtte	Sierra Club member	Annapolis	Maryland	Please support a firm and time boxed commitment to adopt a regional transportation policy that achieves a minimum 40 percent reduction in transportation sector climate pollution by 2030, to keep... read more Please support a firm and time boxed commitment to adopt a regional transportation policy that achieves a minimum 40 percent reduction in transportation sector climate pollution by 2030, to keep us on track to meet the climate goals updated by the General Assembly in 2016. Ensure we mandate that investment and policy decisions be made based on pollution reduction and equity goals, as well as robust engagement opportunities from the public‒particularly those most overburdened by transportation pollution and undeserved by our current transportation system.	-
2/28/2020	Tom	Van Heeke	General Motors	Detroit	Michigan	See uploaded attachment for the comments of General Motors on the Transportation and Climate Initiative's Draft Memorandum of Understanding. read more See uploaded attachment for the comments of General Motors on the Transportation and Climate Initiative's Draft Memorandum of Understanding.	TCI_GMComment_FINAL.pdf
2/22/2020	Ann	Van Dyke	Cooley Dickinson Hospital	Montague	Massachusetts	The Transportation and Climate Initiative is a step towards decarbonizing our transportation system. As an owner of an electric vehicle I am particularly concerned about the need for real... read more The Transportation and Climate Initiative is a step towards decarbonizing our transportation system. As an owner of an electric vehicle I am particularly concerned about the need for real infrastructure to support electric vehicles. We also need high speed rail to connect urban and rural areas to make long distance driving less necessary. Though I love my EV I would rather take the train to Boston!	-
2/13/2020	Maria	Van Dusen	ELM	Berkeley	California	I support this initiative as a practical and needed way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. I am now using an electric bike for my errands and buses and subways for longer distances. I am... read more I support this initiative as a practical and needed way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. I am now using an electric bike for my errands and buses and subways for longer distances. I am pleased to not need to buy another car and hope changes in transportation infrastructure will make this possible for others as well.	-
1/6/2021	Jenna	Van Donselaar	Young Evangelicals for Climate Action	Willimantic	Connecticut	Cap and invest is proven to work. In order for this initiative to be just, however, the policy must make sure that low-income communities receive investment in good transportation options. Public... read more Cap and invest is proven to work. In order for this initiative to be just, however, the policy must make sure that low-income communities receive investment in good transportation options. Public transit must be effective in order to be useful.	-
2/24/2020	Richard	Van Aken	none	Churchville	Pennsylvania	We probably do not have as much time as we think to address the climate crisis. All efforts to address the issue should be considered and enacted as soon as possible. The sooner the better. We probably do not have as much time as we think to address the climate crisis. All efforts to address the issue should be considered and enacted as soon as possible. The sooner the better.	-
12/27/2019	Joan	Valva	VOTER	NORTHFIELD	Massachusetts	Enough: Sales tax when we buy a car, tax on each and every gallon we buy, excise tax every year for the privilege of owning a car, mandatory, inspection tax every year, and NOW YOU ARE ALSO... read more Enough: Sales tax when we buy a car, tax on each and every gallon we buy, excise tax every year for the privilege of owning a car, mandatory, inspection tax every year, and NOW YOU ARE ALSO TALKING ABOUT A MILEAGE USAGE TAX???? are you guys nuts - ENOUGH!	-
1/13/2020	Joan	Valva	VOTER	NORTHFIELD	Massachusetts	Sales tax when we buy a car, excise tax every year for the privilege of owning a car, sales tax on every gallon of gas, federal tax on every gallon of gas, mandatory inspection - another tax every... read more Sales tax when we buy a car, excise tax every year for the privilege of owning a car, sales tax on every gallon of gas, federal tax on every gallon of gas, mandatory inspection - another tax every year, license plate tax, license to drive tax, enough and I'm sure I've forgotten a few! ENOUGH! yOU ARE GETTING YOUR WISH OF BETTER GAS EFFICIENCY IN CARS AND NOW LOSING REVENUE. We in Western Mass DO NOT HAVE ANY MASS TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS. Plus you are talking about adding the MILEAGE USAGE TAX AS WELL - WHEN WILL IT END????	-

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