TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Our outdated transportation system is Maine’s largest source of climate pollution—and it doesn’t even meet the needs of Maine people.
Maine people deserve clean, modern, affordable transportation options that deliver economic, health, and climate benefits to local communities.
It makes sense for Maine to work with neighboring states through TCI’s bipartisan, proven policy model.

If the extra money is REALLY GUARANTEED BY LAW to be used ONLY to fight climate change by building infrastructure near existing gas stations & on highways to charge electric cars, it would be worth it. If the money were used to take our electric grid off fossil fuels by building a grid that runs on a combo of solar/wind (and other new green sources), it would be worth it.

Clean transportation is crucial to our climate as well as to our economy. We need a regional, low-carbon transportation policy, but we also need reliable public transportation that will give people alternatives to using gas-powered, personal vehicles. Taxing people who drive their cars is not fair if there are no alternative transportation options.

Time the US stopped ignoring the need for mass transportation. We need to spend real $ & serious planning on this or just add to the climate catastrophe that has already started.

Connecticut’s transportation sector is the biggest single emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the state at 38% of the total. This is a climate crisis, and we must immediately work to address the greatest challenge of our generation.

I support a transportation plan that is focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution while investing in sustainable transportation modes. Bus transit, rail, walking, and biking must be improved across the state, especially in cities and town centers.
This transportation plan is also a land use plan, and we must stop investing in a sprawling, unsustainable development model. Future development in the state must be in cities, town centers, and near transit stations.
We should not be investing in expanding interstates. Expanding our interstates in Connecticut both increases emissions in the long term from induced demand and increased driving while putting development pressure on the state’s dwindling forests and farms.
Many cities and towns in the region have shovel-ready plans to improve transit, rail, and active transportation. We must invest in a future with more people on buses, trains, on foot, and riding bicycles. That future includes more transit-oriented development in walkable communities.
Addressing greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles also means immediate health benefits for our most overburdened populations as a result of improved air quality and fewer emissions of localized pollutants responsible for cancer and respiratory and cardiovascular ailments, among other adverse health impacts.

I used to live in Portland, Oregon. Take a look at what they are doing. All electric light rail. Walking and biking are king. Cars discouraged: expensive parking, cars not allowed on some bridges. When new areas for light rail are proposed, once routes are established housing goes up along the lines.

If we want our planet to be a place for human beings can live healthy happy lives we must focus on reducing the effects of climate change. Transporting people and goods has a large effect on the Atmosphere and thus the Climate. Transportation is just part of the Climate Change problem. -
It will not take many feet of sea level rise to put vast areas of our country Florida, Cape Cod, New Orleans, Parts of Washington DC, Boston and NYC under water. If we expect to be a "great country" we must take intelligent steps to combat this problem.
And we must expect MANY REFUGEES from other nations that are under water or in some way in climate distress to enter our country demanding help. We must be ready to help.

I find this TAX just another way of the state sticking their hand in my pocket. This state does not have a revenue problem. They have a spending problem and look for every possible way to stick it to the taxpayers. Enough is enough. Massachusetts, get your fiscal house in order.