TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

This is obviously a regressive tax that will hurt poor Mainers. Having been born in Maine and lived here most of my life, it saddens me to see this kind punitive tax on transportation, food, heating, and pretty much all aspects integral to life in Maine coming from the Blaine House.

Very briefly -- I strongly support modernizing our nation's transportation system with low-carbon-emitting solutions. Transportation is the #1 source of carbon pollution at present. Carbon, in turn, represents the driver behind the biggest crisis facing humanity at present -- the sudden and severe alteration of our world's climate. Modernizing our transportation environment should include dramatically reducing private vehicle usage, particularly in dense cities, where they never made much sense anyway. Thank you for the opportunity to share my views.

Vermont really needs to do more to reduce emissions. A carbon tax would be great.

Maine's residents are already struggling. Working folks and retired people all must use fuel for transportation on a daily basis. Elderly folks must get to Dr's. appointments, grocery stores, etc. Loggers, farmers, manufacturers must pay to have their products shipped out as well to have items/supplies delivered to them. All of Maine's citizens will be hurt by an increase in gasoline/diesel fuel prices. Even at the rate we must pay now...without any increase..we do not have extra money for medicines and emergency needs. Please give this some serious thought. Please DO NOT increase fuel costs.

How we get around is important and transportation is the largest source of air pollution in the region. We need to build a modern, clean, safe, and accessible transportation system for the 21st century. The more we limit pollution from motor fuels, the more jobs we create, the more the economy grows, the healthier our air becomes, the quieter our communities become and the more lives we save. Maryland should join TCI to fund better transportation infrastructure, reduce traffic, and make my community a cleaner, safer place to live. We need to transfer to all electric cars and buses as soon as possible, build a monorail to Frederick that ties into the existing subway, and make public transportation free to all people, with a priority on low income households.
Public Health: It is clear that air pollution from cars, trucks, and buses have become a huge detriment to my community’s health. Air pollution has been linked to a variety of health problems, including asthma, heart disease, and lung cancer, and the more ambitious TCI is, the more our community stands to benefit from a cleaner transportation system. I urge my Governor to join TCI and push it to be as ambitious as possible, for the sake of my community’s health and livelihood. Having lived near the Dickerson Power Plant and Incinerator for many years, I can attest to the effects of particulates in aggravating my allergies and causing endless respiratory problems.

As a person living in a rural area, I think that TCI is extremely important. When states join TCI, they have the opportunity to invest in rural communities where transportation options are limited. Joining TCI would allow Maryland to ensure that rural communities aren’t left behind in the green transition and stuck behind the wheel of costly, inefficient vehicles. Governor Hogan should push for an ambitious TCI program so that rural communities like mine get the solutions they need, including adequate sidewalks in small town so people can walk safely to the train station, post office and stores.

Use the funds from the last 2 years of billion dollar surplus from the state budget!

Please vote for Vermont inclusion in the TCI.

Increases in gross domestic product (GDP), disposable personal income (DPI) and employment;
Public health benefits from cleaner air valued at $3 billion - $10 billion; and
A 20-25% reduction in greenhouse gas pollution from cars and trucks.
The Vermont-specific benefits include:2

$18 to $80 million in annual revenues to invest in low-carbon transportation options;
More money from the program each year than Vermonters contribute; and
The opportunity to make the state more affordable for low-income and rural Vermonters by lessening dependence on imported, polluting and expensive fossil fuels.