TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Fantastic initiative but kindly bear in mind the timeline be efficient well within 10 years as much as possible given the cascade effect most scientists anticipate at that point.

I endorse the goals of the TCI to reduce carbon emissions from transportation in our region. This is vital since transportation is the largest source of our carbon emissions.

At a recent energy and climate action conference one of the speakers suggested that "we need carrots, sticks and tambourines" to get the seemingly impossible and at very least difficult task done of getting off of fossil fuels and moving rapidly to a sustainable future. I applaud the desire to implement some sort of stick in fossil fuel pricing but hoping that there would be a carrot to make more people jump towards a the sustainable side.

Can you bring the tambourine along to highlight this as well as drive an initiative towards development?

My idea revolves around the fact that there are far too many cars traveling with only one person in them. It is particularly difficult to have people in rural settings think of alternate transportation other than their own personal vehicle. Why not develop an app that is akin to a "hitch Uber" where everyone can be an Uber driver or rider by simply going through a process of verification and review? Drivers and riders could receive some sort of compensation or reward for sharing their trip and ultimately lowering their carbon footprints. This makes essentially everyone a mass transit driver/rider and could develop into a network where connections could be made at major intersections to help interested riders make their final destination. This idea can grow organically once there is some adoption but could be quickly incentivized by an organization or government with the capability to review and make a safer integration for all concerned.

This is a tax given a name that tries to hide this tax attempt. A governor only approval is not right, this should be voted on by all ma citizens. Rational citizens would not approve of a income deduction. This tax is just wrong no matter of its made up issue.

Dear Sir or Ma'am: I am writing to you today to voice my opposition to the Transportation Climate Initiative. My sole income is a small pension. Any kind of direct tax or back door tax to fund this initiative will cause me to incurre an additional financial burden on me. Not every Mainer is a multi-Billionaire or multi-Millionaire that can afford this tax. Additionally, Mainers on Social Security or other fixed income cannot also afford paying this hidden tax. We Mainers are being fleeced by all the taxes up-front, or hidden taxes, and are being taxed to death. How are we suppose to survive when we also have other daily expenses. You people are living in a fantasy world, or are extremely wealthy, and have no clue what it is like just to survive day to day on a small income. Worst yet, no income at all. What are we suppose to do? Think about how most Mainers have to live before you mandate another tax or hidden financial burden upon most of us. Please cancel this Utopian initiative from being in acted. What good is saving the planet from so called Climate Change when the rest of us cannot afford to live. Killing the patient but curing the illness is not the answer. Stop taxing us into oblivion!

Even if we assume best case scenario in terms of how much this initiative may help reduce 'man-made climate change,' (however unrealistic that assumption may be) it still would not be worth the cost to individual taxpayers as well as small businesses. The real economic harm this scheme would do far outweighs the theoretical infinitesimal benefit. Those in government who support money-grabs such as this will be held accountable at the ballot box.

I am a citizen concerned with climate change, our existential crisis that needs immediate action. Transportation is the biggest sector that is creating emissions in Maine. Yet transportation has been the sector that has been all but ignored in our state action plan to address climate change. Why do I say that when the plan does posit that electric cars and more electric charging stations are in the plan? Because both are solutions that only the wealthy can afford at this time. They are not practical solutions . We need to provide solutions that can be implemented right now. It is not a matter of people becoming aware. We are aware. We need to do steps right now. Public transportation needs to be electrified, expanded and improved immediately. People have shown they will use it if it is reliable, affordable and easy to use. The Downeaster is expanding, the Breeze works. But we need much more geared to commuters. I use it in Europe where it is easier to use than a car as it is frequent and there are no parking problems. Maine used to have trolleys. What about trams, light rail? buses? We do not need to reinvent the wheel. I can walk faster than my local bus which is from the dinosaur age in terms of being consumer friendly. Having an app doesn't change the fact that the bus takes so long and does not run when people want and need it. There are too many bus stops and not enough routes. The buses are old, have no digital readouts showing the routes or the stops so a newcomer can navigate them. There are no schedules posted and no bus shelters with readouts showing the bus times en route. There has been no state plan to coordinate public transportation to address climate change and no financial backing from the state. Public transportation also is part of social justice. Low income people and seniors cannot afford uber rides. It is necessary for seniors to be able to remain in their homes. It helps with congestion and with health as people walk more. It helps with isolation and can create community as people meet on the same routes. We can start by working with large employers to provide public transportation convenient to their schedules. High schoolers can ride the buses to save money and not duplicate resources as electric buses are expensive but worth it. We have many examples of how to do this. Lets get going. I will ride if it is available in South Portland as I do everywhere else I go. Please give me the opportunity to do so while helping our climate.

Stop the madness! Foisting a 17 cent per gallon tax on gasoline will do absolutely nothing in the greater scheme. Is it your intent to further pauperise the residents of an already poor state, many of whom are forced to travel distances for employment. Shame on you. Get out of the TCI now! Your profligate spending and disguised taxation will be remembered on election day.

Mills has been in office less than a year, and is spending incredible amounts, all of which require increased taxation. Now, yet another tax increase is on the horizon with the proposed gas tax. Mainers cannot afford her. Maine is a rural state, with lower income residents....many of whom drive many miles to work....often to multiple jobs, simply to get by. Many will be forced to leave....then, who will be left to pay the state's bills? Don't forget all the other activities that will be influenced by such a tax...school bus transport, heating fuel costs, farming, etc. Come down to Earth, governor.