TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I demand a strong program that invests in public transportation, biking, walking, and prioritizes equity. My state should get involved with the climate change fight.

The climate and transportation initiative is essential for improving our environment. I make a point of using the RR to travel, to NYC to DC and wherever possible. We need to improve this infrastructure so others will do the same. Public transportation is a key ingredient in the fight against climate change. We need to focus our transportation money on making it more efficient and available so that we can reduce emissions and increase usage.

This is unconstitutional taxation without representation. I oppose this and hate my state and its corrupt leaders more every day.

A tax by another name...to steal from Shakespeare, like Mass Government steals from its people. It appears I’ve been elevated to “stakeholder” status when you want to pass this tax in disguise. Otherwise, I’m unimportant. However, I do have a law degree and passed constitutional law classes. This is a tax imposed on the people without benefit of debate or vote, i.e., taxation without representation. Y’all should be ashamed of yourselves, but I get it, the “woke” climate of today is something you can capitalize on and use it to grab some more money supposedly because you care about the environment. HA! I OPPOSE THE TCI TAX.

As someone deeply concerned about our planet’s future, I strongly urge you to join the TCI to cap transportation emissions and place a fee on fuel imports. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and raise much needed revenue to modernize our transportation system on a regional scale and we can’t afford to let it slip by! Massachusetts legislators have shown that they’re concerned about the environment through current commitments to curb emissions, the TCI is the next step to ensuring we truly make a difference. Instead of expanding Logan airport, we should be looking for more innovative ways to cap emissions and curb greenhouse gasses. Please strongly consider joining the TCI. Thank you for your consideration in this matter that affects all of our lives and the planet we all call home.

My name is Ryan O’Malley and I represent Ward 4 on the Malden City Council. I believe it is important to reduce pollution from transportation because it greatly impacts the health outcomes of residents who live near transportation corridors like highways. Malden is entirely an Environmental Justice community and we are also surrounded by highways which produce greenhouse gases and particulates which make our air quality poor. These negative health outcomes disproportionally impacts communities of color, the working class, and the poor.

I would like to thank Governor Baker and his administration for the leadership and drive to join the program. Massachusetts always has and must continue to be a leader for environmental advocacy. I urge the Governor and his dedicated team to select the most aggressive greenhouse gas reduction target because bold and decisive action now will pay off dividends in the future.

The Commonwealth should prioritize investments in Environmental Justice communities like Malden and areas that are not currently served by public transit. Bus trap is transit is also a great and cost effective way to bring public transit to underserved areas. A local example of a low hanging fruit would be to extend the bus rapid transit program on Broadway in Everett up the rest of Broadway to Malden, Melrose, and Saugus. This project would completely transform commuting on the North Shore by providing a direct connection to North Station. The opportunity to utilize Encore casino mitigation funds should make this a top priority for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Sincerely,
Ryan O’Malley
City Councillor
City of Malden

I have a PhD in City and Regional Planning. One of the issues we frequently discuss is inefficient transportation systems and auto-dependency. One priority should be to improve train travel throughout this reason. With improved train service, it would be possible to travel from Washington DC to Boston with greatly reduced emissions.
I often think of these transportation issues and how they play out at the local level. I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and I experience inefficiencies and auto-related gridlock daily. In Chester County we are expected to add 140,000 people in the next 20 years. On neighborhood forums, I see the tendency to want to reject all development, which is not possible when considering the projected population growth. A major reason for not wanting more development is the overburdened infrastructure that will become increasingly inefficient with more cars on the road. We need a solution that will provide other means of local and regional transportation. These local transportation solutions should be part of the scaffolding of a regional transportation system.
Creating an enforceable limit on transportation pollution and investing in clean, modern mobility solutions across the region will reduce vehicle emissions, especially GHG emissions; support clear air initiatives; and improve the quality of life of residents in these states. A regional planning initiative is long overdue, but I am grateful that the process has begun. I request that Pennsylvania will formally join the plan to reduce emissions. This bipartisan project will provide an example to the rest of the country, demonstrating that state jurisdictions can do this important but difficult work even as our federal government continues to roll back regulations and refuses to address issues that will make us competitive in the future. I also hope this policy will prioritize clean energy investments on behalf of all residents, especially those in areas overburdened by pollution or in areas where access to clean energy options are limited.