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3/16/2020 |
maggie |
egger |
self |
Wellesley |
Massachusetts |
I have read with great disappointment your plan to push through this gas tax without allowing the legislature to vote. This is a serious tax and one that does not help stop pollution but instead... read more I have read with great disappointment your plan to push through this gas tax without allowing the legislature to vote. This is a serious tax and one that does not help stop pollution but instead puts more money into the hands of government. As of now, the MBTA has the money it needs to upgrade and run more efficiently but government beauocracy stands in the way. I want my present tax dollars to work for me not for the unions and government run programs. Stop the tax madness! Let the legislature vote on this measure!
Thank you1 |
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1/24/2020 |
Tim |
Storer |
Independent Citizen |
Weld |
Maine |
This is nothing but a leftest democrat money grab. There is only one guarantee. Taxes will go up. Pollution IS real. The fear mongering narrative spewing from the climate initiative industry is... read more This is nothing but a leftest democrat money grab. There is only one guarantee. Taxes will go up. Pollution IS real. The fear mongering narrative spewing from the climate initiative industry is baseless and false. The science is not "undisputed" in fact its highly disputed. More and more we find out about the lies. Maine and Mainers are not culprits to the world climate. I say let the other states proceed if they want and we will monitor it's success or more likely it's failures. Lets be honest here. What Government program ever created has been successful?.
Lets keep the activism going and solve emission problems, but lets not allow the government to dictate the taxes and fees while all the while foolishly spending it in other areas. Does anyone know how Maine has benefited from previous initiatives?
The push for electric cars looks good on paper but realistically we are still in test mode. The percent of cases of dangerous and unsafe incidences (batteries blowing up and catching fire) is currently low but what about when we force the market and the country is infiltrated with EV's. The percentage remains the same but the incidents will increase to an alarming level. I do not trust these cars in the mainstream yet. Tesla has been highly subsidized and they are still faced with reliability and practicality issues.
We were duped on the wind mills. They don't pay for themselves before they expire and now were are having disposal issues.
We need more studies and test before we jump on the so called "clean" EV's.
1-I want to know how we are to dispose of these very expensive batteries that are useless after 10 to 15 years.
2-I want to know how much more or less fossil fuels will be used to generate the increased power for charging stations.
3-I want to know what kind of regulations are in place for mining the minerals required. Huge corporate mining facilities and child labor.
4-What is the life expectancy of an EV in cold climates like Maine. A legit concern.
It seems as we are ready and willing to throw money to the problems without asking any questions.
TCI is NOT for Maine. At the very least we should have a referendum.
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1/16/2020 |
Vikram |
Sikand |
Concerned Resident and Parent |
Weehawken |
New Jersey |
Over the past decade, the Northeast region of the United States has helped lead the country—and the world—in supporting and developing clean, renewable sources of electricity. Taken together, the... read more Over the past decade, the Northeast region of the United States has helped lead the country—and the world—in supporting and developing clean, renewable sources of electricity. Taken together, the policies of Northeast states, from Maine to Maryland, have generated billions of dollars in investment for solar, wind, and efficiency. One driving force behind this investment is a regional initiative that caps emissions from the electricity sector, charges power plants for the emissions they generate, and invests the revenue from those fees into efficiency and clean energy programs. This initiative has helped fundamentally change the region’s electricity sector: we have achieved unprecedented penetration of renewables, nearly eliminated the use of coal, and reduced overall electricity use at a time of economic expansion.
The next big step for the region is to bring that same sense of commitment, ingenuity, and purpose to clean transportation.
Transportation is the largest source of pollution in the Northeast region, comprising more than 40 percent of total regional global warming emissions (Georgetown Climate Center 2015). In addition to the health impacts associated with rising temperatures, soot and ground-level ozone from the region’s cars
and trucks are responsible for more than 50,000 asthma attacks, 1,000 deaths,
and other pollution-related illnesses that incur approximately $27 billion in total health care costs every year (Holmes-Gen and Barrett 2016). The health impacts of transportation affect all of us, but especially vulnerable are children, the elderly, the chronically ill, and people in low-income communities (who often live in or near freight corridors).
A growing number of people are choosing to live in neighborhoods where nearby amenities and public transportation can make car-free living more feasible. Above, the Boston Harborwalk, more than 40 miles long, connects the city’s waterfront neighborhoods. Forward-thinking policies can help the region adapt to growing populations and reduce dependence on personal vehicles.
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2/21/2020 |
Roxanne |
Donohue |
Mrs. |
Weehawken |
New Jersey |
We have to act quickly as time is running out for our planet be bold be brave do the right thing! We have to act quickly as time is running out for our planet be bold be brave do the right thing! |
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2/21/2020 |
Roxanne |
Donohue |
Mrs. |
Weehawken |
New Jersey |
Time is running out for our planet we must move swiftly and do the right thing be bold be brave and help save us all Time is running out for our planet we must move swiftly and do the right thing be bold be brave and help save us all |
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12/3/2019 |
MARK |
ROGERS |
none |
WEBSTER |
Massachusetts |
The TCI is an illegal tax...pure and simple. If you want to tax us do it in the open and lookng us " in the eyes". I am not in favor of contributing more to a bloated budget. read more The TCI is an illegal tax...pure and simple. If you want to tax us do it in the open and lookng us " in the eyes". I am not in favor of contributing more to a bloated budget. |
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12/18/2019 |
Joseph |
McKenna |
Commonwealth of MA |
Webster |
Massachusetts |
As Representative in a relatively rural district, my constituents have chosen to live outside of the city where they can enjoy the land and open spaces. The trade-off is that they must drive... read more As Representative in a relatively rural district, my constituents have chosen to live outside of the city where they can enjoy the land and open spaces. The trade-off is that they must drive every day to get to work, to doctors, to get groceries, or to get their children to and from daycare or school. TCI, and any gas tax, disproportionately places the burden of climate change onto the wallets of those living outside of cities who must drive to meet the needs of their daily lives. It is not right that those who drive often face a disproportionate tax to offset the spending of the Government. At the very least, this initiative must come before the Legislature for a vote prior to enactment. |
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1/16/2020 |
Laura |
Burns |
HubCats |
Webster |
New York |
There is nothing more important to me than minimizing climate change! Changing my transportation to a Prius, and using it less, was the first item on my agenda. There is nothing more important to me than minimizing climate change! Changing my transportation to a Prius, and using it less, was the first item on my agenda. |
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2/27/2020 |
Susan |
Olson |
Citizen's Climate Lobby |
Weatogue |
Connecticut |
My husband walks a mile rain or shine to ride the bus to work in Hartford. The public transportation system is critical to him. However, since moving to CT, he has a cough which he attributes to... read more My husband walks a mile rain or shine to ride the bus to work in Hartford. The public transportation system is critical to him. However, since moving to CT, he has a cough which he attributes to low air quality. When I travel to Washington DC I use bus transportation. It is efficient and cost effective. We do have a hybrid gas/electric vehicle which we charge at the charging station in front of our
town hall. My family requests Gov Lamont formally join the TCI Initiative and pursue aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reductions so
air quality in our cities (for our school children and others like my husband) will improve and the transportation sector will support
individuals like us seeking to transition to electric vehicles and public transport. We appreciate Gov Lamont's leadership.
Sincerely,
Jon and Susan Olson, 109 Hopmeadow St, Weatogue, CT |
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10/28/2019 |
Thomas |
McKenzie |
Penn Mar Oil |
Waynesboro |
Pennsylvania |
I strongly oppose the proposed plan of cap and trade in Pennsylvania. This is an unfair burden to Pennsylvania taxpayers and businesses especially since we already pay a substantially larger... read more I strongly oppose the proposed plan of cap and trade in Pennsylvania. This is an unfair burden to Pennsylvania taxpayers and businesses especially since we already pay a substantially larger amount of fuel taxes over other surrounding states. |
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1/18/2020 |
jeff |
francisco |
Parent; Teacher; Concerned Citizen |
Wayne |
New Jersey |
As a parent of two young children, a teacher and someone who relies on common sense and science to navigate the modern world, I take affront at politicians and other leaders not heading the calls... read more As a parent of two young children, a teacher and someone who relies on common sense and science to navigate the modern world, I take affront at politicians and other leaders not heading the calls of the planet to change how we live. We need to change our lifestyles and expectations to how much we can continue to take and not pay a painful price. Let us make logical decision now and when my boys are old enough they can become stewards themselves and engineer ways to mitigate the damage we have already done and build a sustainable economy and democracy for generations to come. |
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1/16/2020 |
Carole |
Plumb |
Citizen |
Wayland |
Massachusetts |
I support policies that show short and long term planning for curbing the both the greenhouse gas levels rising and increased transportation/traffic woes due to use of fossil fuels. A scientist by... read more I support policies that show short and long term planning for curbing the both the greenhouse gas levels rising and increased transportation/traffic woes due to use of fossil fuels. A scientist by training I understand hard limits and the damage resulting from a spiraling negative feedback loop. If repairs are not going to be made by regulatory fiat, and a market solution is more palatable to get the job done-then build the system to make it happen. Short term thinking is what got humanity here in the first place- choosing comfort, convenience and cheap over building century stable systems which require effort. Humans are not evolved to be good at long term planning. Like safety protocols LT planning requires training and reinforcement.
What feels like small actions by individuals aggregate into horde of people which has big impacts. I place "the everything is fine as long as I get mine" and "why worry, it hasn't happened before" crowd into the category of homeowners who refuse to budge for hurricane evacuations until its too late, panic and jam the roads, or need to be asked to write their social security numbers on their arms so the bodies can be identified after the storm surge.
Commenters outraged at paying any taxes should work harder at getting your government to stop blowing billions of dollars on needless wars and hundreds of millions on Trumps golf outings. Try and remember taxes should pay for bridges that stay up, usable transportation and the social infrastructure of civilized society. Good government does not come for free. Ignorance, bad data and ideas repeatedly proven wrong that won't stay dead, well, those are free but still manage to end up costing everyone.
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1/23/2020 |
Sherman |
Homan |
Business |
Wayland |
Massachusetts |
The TCI is just another tax, added to the ridiculous tax burden that we are already under. It won't help carbon emissions or clean air, it will just make life more difficult for working... read more The TCI is just another tax, added to the ridiculous tax burden that we are already under. It won't help carbon emissions or clean air, it will just make life more difficult for working people. It is time for a good 10% cut across the the state goverment. |
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2/12/2020 |
mike |
Kanarek |
Mobile Game Doctor, Wildlife Rehabilitators' Association of Ma |
Wayland |
Massachusetts |
Watching other states falter on TPI has been a huge disappointment. Massachusetts can lead the way, and I've never been more proud of my elected officials in this state for sticking by it. To... read more Watching other states falter on TPI has been a huge disappointment. Massachusetts can lead the way, and I've never been more proud of my elected officials in this state for sticking by it. To my state representative (rep. Gentile) and senator Rausch - thank you for doing what you can. Thank you for looking past the short term economics of the situation and doing what's right. We're proud to be here. |
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2/28/2020 |
Carole |
Plumb |
citizen |
Wayland |
Massachusetts |
I support the TCI both to attempt to brake humanities collision course with climate upheaval and to reduce congestion with sensible transportation options. I support the TCI both to attempt to brake humanities collision course with climate upheaval and to reduce congestion with sensible transportation options. |
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2/28/2020 |
David |
Fitzpatrick |
Voting citizen |
Wayland |
Massachusetts |
Climate change is a pressing issue being ignored at the Federal level. It is critical that state, communities, corporations, and individuals take action. Climate change is a pressing issue being ignored at the Federal level. It is critical that state, communities, corporations, and individuals take action. |
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10/14/2020 |
Stephan |
Armstrong |
CHEROKEE LINES INC |
Watsontown |
Pennsylvania |
I want a cap on carbon emissions of at least 99% by 2032 and an an increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>99%). I request that investments be put... read more I want a cap on carbon emissions of at least 99% by 2032 and an an increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>99%). I request that investments be put towards active transportation like better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit.
Economic and public health modeling to analyze how emissions reductions and investments in low-carbon transportation infrastructure will benefit people, businesses, and communities, particularly communities already bearing disproportionate impacts from pollution and lack of access to economic opportunities. |
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10/25/2019 |
Linda |
Woods |
none |
Waterville |
Maine |
Maine should use TCI as an opportunity to invest in local transportation solutions that help Maine people get to where they need to go in an affordable way that’s good for our environment. I am... read more Maine should use TCI as an opportunity to invest in local transportation solutions that help Maine people get to where they need to go in an affordable way that’s good for our environment. I am surrounded by people who are food insecure. There is food available, but many have no transportation to get to food banks. We need more access to public transportation. |
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10/27/2019 |
Richard |
Thomas |
Maine General Medical Center |
Waterville |
Maine |
Please support Maine in developing low carbon transportation. Primarily, I believe we need increased passenger trains and all electric buses and cars. I fear that without rapid improvement in... read more Please support Maine in developing low carbon transportation. Primarily, I believe we need increased passenger trains and all electric buses and cars. I fear that without rapid improvement in this and many other areas, we will face a climate emergency within 10 or 20 years, and our children's lives will be terribly harmed. Nothing is more important than this. |
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10/28/2019 |
Diana |
Perkins |
Leroy Perkins |
Waterville |
Maine |
I oppose Governor Mills supporting the Transportation Climate Initiative as it is going to increase the price of gasoline and oil prices which in turn affects prices of transporting food and other... read more I oppose Governor Mills supporting the Transportation Climate Initiative as it is going to increase the price of gasoline and oil prices which in turn affects prices of transporting food and other goods. Mainers need tax relief and I am very disappointed in Governor Mills as she promised that taxes would not be increased yet she increased the state budget by $800 million. We need to take in consideration the number of senior citizens, low income citizens and families that are already strapped with tax burdens.
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