TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I support the Transportation and Climate initiative. Maine is in great need of workable transportation solutions. We need public transportation through out the state but we do not want to increase the pollution caused by fossil fuel driven vehicles. We need creative solutions to get people where they need to go without everyone having to have a car themselves. This probably means a subsidized system since the rural nature of Maine means that often there are not enough people in one place to make a profit making system viable. Transportation however is key to providing jobs and getting people to medical appointments and should not be seen as a privilege of those who can afford it or live in a place which can support a profit making enterprise. Moreover, private enterprise is less likely to want to ensure a system that does not add to the pollution of the atmosphere. Plese come up with new and creative public options.

If we want a half decent world for our grandchildren to live in we must act to curb our emissions now. This is a great plan to start that work. So many of us in Maine have no option but to drive everywhere if we cannot walk because of distances to needed resources. This is a world challenge and breaking up into regions to find viable solutions seems to be a sensible way to proceed. I support this approach.

Re: TCI.
it is clear here in Maine that our outdated transportation system is the state's largest source of climate pollution. Furthermore, it doesn’t even meet the needs of Maine people. We deserve clean, modern, affordable transportation options that deliver economic, health, and climate benefits to local communities.
We must make bold changes now!
Please consider working with the TCI model. Our neighboring states have seen that this is a workable solution to our state's transportation issues.
Thank you.

This TCI Plan does not seem to take into account the small businesses that employ thousands of unskilled and skilled workers. It seems they are bent upon killing the crux of small business community.
They should think of stopping issuance of new business licenses to big gas station companies like WAWA, Royal Farms, Seven Elevens who are just busy opening new gas stations like mushrooms in the name of development and counties are helping them without keeping anything like what TCI is trying to achieve.
I know at least five big gas stations having come up in one single zip code 20743 while at least 4 more are about to come. a curvy will reveal there are not only one but two or three stations on every corner of each road. Stop supporting big companies and help sustain the existing businesses.

This is absurd seeking a higher tax on gasoline and Diesel is going to stop people from driving is crazy mean is a very rural state loss of us depend on transportation for lots of things to get home from work to get to work to go out and buy groceries and things we need for day to day life all a higher tax is going to do is portmore strain and struggle on those who are already struggling and it might even be the tipping point for some people where they may have to give up driving because it becomes too expensive I would love Janet Mills for two weeks to live in a place as a very rural and watch her walk or ride a bike for transportation when the nearest grocery store is 25 miles one way. Adding extra taxes to gasoline and Diesel isn't going to make any difference for the people who can afford to drive there still going to drive but they're going to make sacrifices and other aspects of their life less vacation maybe they won't be able to take the road trip to visit friends and family or they won't be able to take a vacation or trip they desperately need for their mental health I'm 30 years old I work at a pizza place we offer delivery out on the road my drivers only get 5.50 per hour just like a waitress would what's going to happen to them when they can't afford to keep gas in your vehicle because the consumer can't afford to tip because we've had to raise prices to combat this tax every retail outfit any company that relies on trucks bringing their products to them will have to increase prices to make up for the difference in the taxes all of this already trickles down so people who are struggling to make ends meet as it is it doesn't matter how much the United States does to combat climate change will China's out there running rampid with no regulations or a care in the world to come back there impact on climate change they are the heaviest pouliting and country in existence. As a single parent working full-time I'm already struggling to make ends meet as it is I don't know what I'm going to do if this passes and I can't afford to get my son downstate for doctor's appointments he may need this isn't a problem for the people already on state help or receiving any kind of welfare because their costs get passed back onto me the regular average working man so now I have to struggle more and give up more just some more of my money can go to help somebody else that's probably capable of working but doesn't because Janet Mills allows a lot of leniency in slack when it comes to welfare in this state if you want to do something about climate change there's plenty that can be done without targeting the average working American we could be more efficient and what we do with our garbage there are alternative types of fuel that we could invest in do more research on that would help curb this problem hydrogen comes to mind what's only admits water as a by-product for running an automobile there is so much that could be done without charging the average person more money we've tired it on cigarettes and alcohol but no matter how much taxes increase or the prices raise people still buy them and that's not even necessarily something they need for everyday life while driving an automobile might a staple to their life and surviving their livelihood 10000 words simply isn't enough to stress how unnecessary and negatively this is going to impact characters is it enough to educate Janet Mills all alternatives and better solutions than a tax increase we've been raising prices ever since the monetary system has been created does that stop people from buying things no it doesn't it just makes them reprioritize and causes more problems look at the health industry the pharmaceutical industry there are people out there that can't afford the medicine they need to live and we're talkin about raising taxes on gas and Diesel maybe Janet Mills needs to get her priorities set straight because of a tax increase in gasoline and Diesel is more important then having residence homeless residents that can't afford their medicine that ignore going to the hospital because they can't afford it then she truly is lost and has no place being anywhere as a political figure

As a climate crisis widow, I support all efforts to limit CO2 and transportation is a large contributor. Do everything possible to make our transportation systems as efficient as possible as fast as possible. Why not free public transportation? Get cars off the roads.

Dear Sir or Madam,

Shouldn't everyone care about reducing pollution from transportation? This is the largest source of global warming emissions, both regionally and nationally. The Susquehanna Valley's air quality is below what we should expect, and FAR below what it should really be.

I hope that Pennsylvania formally joins the plan to reduce emissions and with the state government's full backing and support. It's my hope that the policy includes a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access. I'm grateful for the bipartisan nature of this project, and have sincere belief that this will move us forward, even while the federal government takes us backward.

Regards,
Sharon

This is not the answer... hidden taxes to encourage driving less....
Most of maine does not have public transportation and most people have to travel to their jobs... this would just hurt the hardworking families.