TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Everyday another scientific article comes out stating how URGENT the climate crisis is - essentially the entire ecosystem is unraveling. Even if you do as much as you can as fast as you it, it won't be enough - and yet, you must do your part to help mitigate the impending catastrophes until more aggressive policy steps are taken.

Own an electric vehicle and would enjoy seeing charging station expansion, perhaps out in the 2 quiet corner areas. Perhaps add a few
plugs in to all the stations that seem to be undergoing massive renovations anyway.

This is a show of your ignorance and delusion! We the people will Not stand behind a natural climate change if this planet. You can not tax the people without representation! Show us both sides of your so called professional scientists. This is why you shoul have Never won our state election! Your time in office will be short as next election will prove! You lied about the corridor and your lying now! Go away.

This is a terrible idea. There is no tax more regressive then one on energy and transportation. Burdening the working poor and the middle class without proof it will work or a truly accurate climate model that proves the goals will work is unconscionable. If the political pressure is so strong that you must "do something " then adopt this proposal but use monopoly money until you have a base line. In a few years scientists should have a working climate model that will prove the whole scheme worthless. Or science could prove me wrong. You might be reluctant to shelve this initiative on my theories but probably not as reluctant as I am to support this on your theories.

Not one penny increase in this TAX until the money the state has in surplus is spent on the necessary functions of government, not the "feel good" scams of the activists, scheming for more money for their projects and jobs for their otherwise unemployable grads.
Be sure I will become an activist to repeal any such gas tax move.

We need to rehabilitate and restore our passenger rail system to make it an excellent alternative for travel as it was in the time of the New York Central and Pennsylvania Railroad systems. The rail networks should be electrified across the USA and Canada. High speed rail across the country should be a good option for travelers as it is in Europe.

Establishing permit laws for gas transport is only creating hardships for poor citizens who will be forced to pay higher gas prices. We cannot simply go out and purchase fuel saving vehicles. Many of us rely on older cars for transport as we cannot afford anything else. Similarly a mileage tax will harm everyone. Maine is a huge state and long commutes are often unavoidable. I am educated and commute an hour to a specialized worksite. Would you like us to leave the state? My rural community does not offer any jobs in my field. I do not know what the solution is but what is so far proposed will do great harm to our state.

POLICY STATEMENT
Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI)
The Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI) is a regional collaboration of 12 states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions that’s intended purpose is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the transportation sector. Specifically, the goal of TCI is to create a “regional, low-carbon transportation policy proposal that would cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels.” Maryland announced participation in the coalition in December 2018, and since that time there have been a number of regional stakeholder meetings seeking input on overall regional transportation priorities, potential emissions reductions goals, and policy proposals to meet those targets.
As this process continues to move forward, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce (MDCC) urges that the following principles be taken into account as Maryland and policymakers work toward a regional transportation policy proposal:
1) Transparency. An open and public process is critical to the formation of sound public policy. The MDCC urges that any proposals brought forward to achieve the goals laid out by TCI be subject to rigorous analysis that recognizes both the benefits and costs to the public and the business community. As well, proposals should be subject to a thorough and public vetting process while being considered as potential pathways to meeting TCI’s targets.

2) Market-Based. Market-based solutions have proven to be successful in providing the level of flexibility needed to meet environmental goals cost-effectively. The MDCC believes that any proposal put forward should be market-based, as these types of policies are most cost-effective and spur the innovation necessary to achieve positive outcomes.

3) Dedicated Revenue. Many market-based policies have the potential of generating revenue. The MDCC advocates that any revenue generated from TCI be dedicated to programs and initiatives that contribute to cost-effective energy and environmental solutions rather than returned to the General Fund or used for other purposes.