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
2/28/2020	Karen	Saunders	PhD candidate, Environmental Studies, Antioch University New England; also a resident of Brattleboro, Vermont	Brattleboro	Vermont	I urge that Vermont participate in the Transportation and Climate Initiative as a step toward reducing our transportation carbon footprint. We may be a small state, but we do have an impact, and... read more I urge that Vermont participate in the Transportation and Climate Initiative as a step toward reducing our transportation carbon footprint. We may be a small state, but we do have an impact, and with 44% of our carbon emissions coming from transportation, this is a critically important step. Traveling regularly to Keene, NH, I am constantly aware of the insufficiency of our public transportation system. If we had buses traveling between Brattleboro and Keene, I would be taking them. TCI could mean that all of us would have better public transportation infrastructure, and fewer of us would have cars on the road. I'm aware that there is resistance to TCI because of the burden that increased prices on gas would put on poorer Vermonters, who often must drive to jobs that are often far from home, and who can't afford to buy an electric vehicle, even with incentives. If done right, TCI can ease these issues, rather than becoming an added burden for poor Vermonters. I urge that funds received by Vermont through TCI be directed into programs that help poor Vermonters with transportation needs. This means that public transportation should be treated as a public good and be free or very inexpensive, incentives for fuel efficient cars should be means-weighted enough so that someone who is driving a third-hand gas-guzzler can afford to replace it. Vermonters with accessibility needs (who are often among the poorest of us) must also have their needs put foremost, and accessibility should be a primary consideration in building out new transportation infrastructure. Again, I urge that Vermont formally join TCI, and take this critically important step toward a cleaner energy future and an improved transportation infrastructure that will benefit us all. Sincerely, Karen Saunders	-
7/1/2020	Bradley	Kennedy	University of Copenhagen	Brattleboro	Vermont	I recently returned to the US after nearly three years living in Copenhagen. European cities have already solved the problem of bicycling, so let's not try to reinvent the wheel. How do you... read more I recently returned to the US after nearly three years living in Copenhagen. European cities have already solved the problem of bicycling, so let's not try to reinvent the wheel. How do you build a bicycle-based city? You make bicycles the easiest, fastest, and cheapest way to get around. How do you do that? Put a separated bicycle lane on the side of every road. It is simple, safe, and everyone gets it. Grandmas, kids, foreigners, everyone. That's it! Let's do it.	-
2/25/2020	Jennifer	Bentsen	PA resident	Breinigsville	Pennsylvania	I am thrilled to anticipate the joining of the states in our region (in cooperation with whatever organizations that can help) to implement the reduction of carbon emissions. Way to go! I am thrilled to anticipate the joining of the states in our region (in cooperation with whatever organizations that can help) to implement the reduction of carbon emissions. Way to go!	-
2/21/2020	Emily	Blank	self	Brentwood	Maryland	We desperately need action to save our planet. Plus, not everyone has a car. People need good public transportation everywhere! We desperately need action to save our planet. Plus, not everyone has a car. People need good public transportation everywhere!	-
10/9/2019	Kathryn	Jovanelli	none	Brewer	Maine	I am totally against this. Maine is already a poor rural state and most working people need to drive and can't afford any increase in associated costs. Please do not do this to our state.... read more I am totally against this. Maine is already a poor rural state and most working people need to drive and can't afford any increase in associated costs. Please do not do this to our state.	-
11/5/2019	Charles	Stevens	Concerned citizen	Brewer	Maine	The people cannot afford to spend more money our budgets are pushed to the limit as it is. If we keep giving things away to immigrants and we pay this State will definitely go straight into the... read more The people cannot afford to spend more money our budgets are pushed to the limit as it is. If we keep giving things away to immigrants and we pay this State will definitely go straight into the hole again.	-
1/18/2020	Brian	Burt	None	Brewer	Maine	I strongly oppose being part of TCI. While Maine roads and infrastructure remain in embarrassing conditions, slamming Maine's poor and middle class workers with more taxes to fund nefarious... read more I strongly oppose being part of TCI. While Maine roads and infrastructure remain in embarrassing conditions, slamming Maine's poor and middle class workers with more taxes to fund nefarious and doubtful reductions in “carbon foot print” is an insult to the great, hard working people of Maine. I wish that Governor Mills would listen and respond to the opposition of “we the people”, instead of playing wild and free with our money!	-
1/19/2020	Kathryn	Jovanelli	None	Brewer	Maine	I am an independent voter and I am totally against this new “progressive” tax that will only harm Maine residents. Maine is a large, (land-wise) rural state with a small population. There are no... read more I am an independent voter and I am totally against this new “progressive” tax that will only harm Maine residents. Maine is a large, (land-wise) rural state with a small population. There are no public mass transportation systems. The people here are not wealthy and depend on their vehicles to get to work. I urge Gov. Mills to consider the people of the state and the adverse impact this hated new tax will have on them. This will not be forgotten at re-election time.	-
2/28/2020	Patrick	Lessard	Maine citizen	Brewer	Maine	As the most rural state, we know that it will be difficult for most Mainers to drive less or switch to electric vehicles. For one, there’s no large used-electric-vehicle market. We also... read more As the most rural state, we know that it will be difficult for most Mainers to drive less or switch to electric vehicles. For one, there’s no large used-electric-vehicle market. We also know that people who rent their homes/apartments, as well as those on a fixed income, likely do not have the ability or the money to install equipment to charge electric vehicles overnight at home. This makes finding a place to charge their vehicle a daily burden, not just an occasional inconvenience. Fully electric cars might be fine for quick trips around the city for people who can afford to install a charger in their home, but they are not ready for longer commutes in the cold on rural roads where fast chargers are not readily available. The biggest challenge for is the winter. Batteries lose charge faster in our colder weather. A recent Wall Street Journal video featured the many challenges of driving electric vehicles In her road-test from Detroit to the Canadian border, a Michigan reporter’s usual 10-hour round-trip TOOK 30 HOURS IN 25 DEGREE WEATHER. She spent 19 HOURS CHARGING HER CAR on a trip about the same distance as Brunswick to Presque Isle and back. The cold not only drained the battery faster but also slowed recharging. Janet Mills is a Marxist POS and this gas tax is just a stupid idea as she is! She's a one term gov. at best! We are now seeking her removal through the off of the President of the Undited States!	-
11/8/2019	ADAM	LANGE	Mr.	BREWSTER	Massachusetts	Any increase in fuel prices would be disastrous to the Massachusetts commercial fishing fleet. The earth has increased in temperature 0.8 degrees Celsius since the 1800s. Charging working... read more Any increase in fuel prices would be disastrous to the Massachusetts commercial fishing fleet. The earth has increased in temperature 0.8 degrees Celsius since the 1800s. Charging working families more for fuel will do nothing to change the earth's temperature, but will take money away from our families and lower our standard of living.	-
11/12/2019	Dan	Secor	none of your damn business	Brewster	Massachusetts	Where have I seen this before? An issue so unpopular that it would never pass as legislation so a work around is the only way. Wait! I remember! Same sex marriage! This bad idea was already... read more Where have I seen this before? An issue so unpopular that it would never pass as legislation so a work around is the only way. Wait! I remember! Same sex marriage! This bad idea was already addressed by Geoff Diehl and defeated as his signature legislation. Can anybody tell me what has brought it to the fore again just when the national economy is booming? DJT has taught us all what a tax reduction can do to a stumbling economy. Why would we hobble ourselves with a confiscatory gas tax? That just gives the bureaucrats more money to spend.	-
12/1/2019	ADAM	LANGE	Mr.	BREWSTER	Massachusetts	No engineer could have ever agreed to this plan. Massachusetts currently creates only 1.3% of the nations greenhouse gasses. You can financially punish the citizens to the point we turn off our... read more No engineer could have ever agreed to this plan. Massachusetts currently creates only 1.3% of the nations greenhouse gasses. You can financially punish the citizens to the point we turn off our heat and stop driving our cars and you could never change the temperature of the earth from Massachusetts. Elected officials no longer represent we the people. This fee will disproportionately impact low income people that must commute off Cape Cod each day. And for what? So Charlie Baker earns a green award?	-
12/13/2019	Timothy	Whelan	MA House of Representatives	Brewster	Massachusetts	As a state legislator in Massachusetts, I firmly believe that any and all attempts to raise taxes (which I view this initiative as) should derive from a recorded vote by myself and my colleagues... read more As a state legislator in Massachusetts, I firmly believe that any and all attempts to raise taxes (which I view this initiative as) should derive from a recorded vote by myself and my colleagues in both branches of the Massachusetts legislature. I have voted for, and against, increases in taxes in my tenure and it is important to me that we legislators make a transparent vote and then answer to our constituents for any measure that would increase their tax burden. Please let the system work, whatever the end result of that vote may be. Thank you for your consideration.	-
2/28/2020	Mary	Price	Concerned citizen	Brewster	Massachusetts	We need low carbon emissions in our transportation We need low carbon emissions in our transportation	-
6/24/2019	P.J.	Clark	citizen	Bridgeport	Connecticut	Please design a regional low-carbon transportation policy proposal that would cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels through a cap-and-invest program or other... read more Please design a regional low-carbon transportation policy proposal that would cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels through a cap-and-invest program or other pricing mechanism… [and]… to complete the policy development process within one year, after which each jurisdiction will decide whether to adopt and implement the policy	-
2/21/2020	Robert	Erman	CT resident and taxpayer who was referred to this site by NRDC	Bridgeport	Connecticut	Morning and afternoon rush hour traffic weekdays, turn sections of Interstate 95 in Fairfield and New Haven counties into a virtual parking lot. Yet little is done to make Metro-North and... read more Morning and afternoon rush hour traffic weekdays, turn sections of Interstate 95 in Fairfield and New Haven counties into a virtual parking lot. Yet little is done to make Metro-North and Shoreline East a more attractive option for commuters. The fares have to come way down to get people out of their cars. Also I'd like to see shuttle service from train stations to area commuter parking lots.	-
1/22/2020	Robert	Travaline	Union of Concerned scientists	Bridgeton	New Jersey	design a regional low-carbon transportation policy proposal that would cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels through a cap-and-invest program or other pricing... read more design a regional low-carbon transportation policy proposal that would cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels through a cap-and-invest program or other pricing mechanism… [and]… to complete the policy development process within one year, after which each jurisdiction will decide whether to adopt and implement the policy.”	-
10/31/2019	Blake	Bradbury	Transportation	Bridgewater	Maine	The trucking industry is struggling enough as it is. We can't afford another .20 gal tax on fuels because or new Governor is an idiot! read more The trucking industry is struggling enough as it is. We can't afford another .20 gal tax on fuels because or new Governor is an idiot!	-
11/12/2019	Fernanda	Lobo	Tax payer	Bridgewater	Massachusetts	I just wanted to voice my opinion that I'm totally against this tax that the government is trying to push through w/out voters having a say. read more I just wanted to voice my opinion that I'm totally against this tax that the government is trying to push through w/out voters having a say.	-
11/12/2019	Joseph	Walsh	citizen	Bridgewater	Massachusetts	This is a tax. All taxes must be voted upon by each state's legislation read more This is a tax. All taxes must be voted upon by each state's legislation	-

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