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2/7/2020 |
Andrew |
McLaughlin |
Retired |
Woodstock |
Vermont |
I believe it is essential thank Vermont adopt the TCI. The time is already past for us to avoid bad effects of our changing climate. Transportation is the hardest part of achieving carbon... read more I believe it is essential thank Vermont adopt the TCI. The time is already past for us to avoid bad effects of our changing climate. Transportation is the hardest part of achieving carbon reduction in Vermont. The TCI is a mild start on a difficult climb. Start we must! |
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2/14/2020 |
Anne |
Dean |
Vermont resident |
Woodstock |
Vermont |
In Vermont, the transportation sector has the largest contribution to statewide greenhouse gas emissions. Many Vermonters must also drive long distances between their homes and their jobs, making... read more In Vermont, the transportation sector has the largest contribution to statewide greenhouse gas emissions. Many Vermonters must also drive long distances between their homes and their jobs, making affordable transportation a critical economic equity and social welfare issue. I strongly support the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) as a tool that can quickly reduce regional transportation GHG emissions. However, we must be careful to design TCI so as to make affordable, low-carbon transportation options available to rural citizens in the region. |
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2/18/2020 |
Susan |
Greenstein |
Voter |
Woodstock |
New York |
We can cut poverty and pollution at the same time. We urge you to move forward with a regional program that prioritizes the needs of communities overburdened with pollution and under-served in... read more We can cut poverty and pollution at the same time. We urge you to move forward with a regional program that prioritizes the needs of communities overburdened with pollution and under-served in mobility options. |
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2/20/2020 |
Michael |
Green |
climate xchange |
Woodstock |
Vermont |
The business community understands the importance of taking action on climate change. This initiative creates the opportunity to invest in our local community transportation systems while also... read more The business community understands the importance of taking action on climate change. This initiative creates the opportunity to invest in our local community transportation systems while also addressing the climate crisis. Living in central Vermont, we have no access to public transportation. We have back-and-rides in almost all of our communities but nothing connecting them. In the winter, we have thousands of people driving each day between Rt 4, 100, and 107 between hotels ski resorts and different tourist destinations. We could alleviate the traffic, congestion in our small town, and restore our broken roads.
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 Vermont to ensure that rural communities aren’t left behind in the green transition and stuck behind the wheel of costly, inefficient vehicles. Our Governor should push for an ambitious TCI program so that rural communities like mine get the solutions they need. |
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2/26/2020 |
Jennifer |
Kent |
None |
woodstock |
Georgia |
Your Science is junk, CO2 is a important part of our ecosystem, stop being dumb and leave the environment alone. Your Science is junk, CO2 is a important part of our ecosystem, stop being dumb and leave the environment alone. |
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11/12/2019 |
William |
Campbell |
Independent |
Woodstock Valley |
Connecticut |
Please do not allow this to go through. It is another tax on us. If you want to push this through, please put it to a vote. Let the taxpayer decide. Please do not allow this to go through. It is another tax on us. If you want to push this through, please put it to a vote. Let the taxpayer decide. |
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12/22/2019 |
Kyle |
Butler |
Citizen |
Woodstown |
New Jersey |
I am against this bill! The cost of living in New Jersey is already one of the highest in the US. Many of us live on fixed incomes and in areas where public transit is basicly non existant! An... read more I am against this bill! The cost of living in New Jersey is already one of the highest in the US. Many of us live on fixed incomes and in areas where public transit is basicly non existant! An increase of another 5-17 cents per gallon with the increase in tax we are already paying would be difficult for many to deal with. The State of New Jersey seems to want to increase the costs of living here, with no attempt to help its residences, no help with property, no help with income tax, prescription prices, insurance cost for hard working citizens. Increasing the cost of living even more in NJ with no plan in place to help to decrease our other cost is ridiculous, but it is a typical NJ move by our politicians who only seem to care about looking good to the media and nothing about its citizens. I so wish I could move out of here!
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10/9/2019 |
Paul |
Wasserott |
P.S.Wasserott, independent trucking company hauling bottles from redemption centers throughout Maine for further recycling |
Woolwich |
Maine |
Fuel is the greatest expense for my small, independent company. I support my family with this business. It is already difficult to maintain a business in Maine between high fuel costs, high taxes... read more Fuel is the greatest expense for my small, independent company. I support my family with this business. It is already difficult to maintain a business in Maine between high fuel costs, high taxes, high medical insurance costs, and more. As an independent truck driver, I cannot absorb the increase if fuel costs go up even more due to this initiative, nor can I get additional compensation from the company I contract with. By hauling recycled products, my company is already helping the environment. This initiative will put me out of business. It may sound good on the surface but please think it through. Think about the actual people who you will put out of business and leave the state. I am a taxpayer who needs relief, not an additional burden. |
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1/12/2020 |
Susan |
Wasserott |
Maine Citizen and hardworking taxpayer |
Woolwich |
Maine |
I am deeply opposed to Maine being part of this initiative. While I support reasonable steps to reduce our carbon footprint, this initiative is not reasonable. Maine is a relatively poor state,... read more I am deeply opposed to Maine being part of this initiative. While I support reasonable steps to reduce our carbon footprint, this initiative is not reasonable. Maine is a relatively poor state, with an aging population, incomes below average and many people living paycheck to paycheck. Adding this tax to already high fuel prices will be burdensome on hardworking Maine families. Personally, it will add to my fuel costs to drive to work, add to our expenses at the grocery and other stores (the companies who deliver goods to stores cannot absorb this additional tax and the cost will trickle down at the market) and it will add significantly to my husband's costs. He is a self-employed truck driver; he will take the hit for the additional tax, which cuts into our profits, plus we will have the higher cost at the market and likely higher heating costs. We will seriously need to consider leaving Maine after 25 years living here if this goes through. PLEASE reconsider, as it looks like other states are reconsidering. Mainers simply cannot afford it!! |
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1/6/2020 |
Michelle |
Mariani |
United States Citizen |
Woonsocket |
Rhode Island |
This tax is ridiculous. Climate change is a hoax. Stop it!!! This tax is ridiculous. Climate change is a hoax. Stop it!!! |
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2/10/2020 |
Vincent |
Ward |
Republican |
Woonsocket |
Rhode Island |
I own a home care agency where my staff go to home visits throughout northern RI. They drive from house to house. The increase in the gas tax will have a direct impact on their income and expenses... read more I own a home care agency where my staff go to home visits throughout northern RI. They drive from house to house. The increase in the gas tax will have a direct impact on their income and expenses. The state already steals money from all of the residents with a toll on trucks (what do you think, the cost doesn't get passed on to consumers)? RI signing on to this TCI will do nothing for the world's pollution problem. It will only put money into the pockets of the connected wealthy politicians and friends who are allowed to get into businesses that will benefit from the money generated by the new tax. This would be a disaster and would give home care workers another reason to quit their job and move into career paths that would not require them to drive their car so much, leaving many, many patients with no one to care for them, forcing them into much more expensive nursing homes. |
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11/4/2019 |
Richard |
Kerver |
Worcester Energy Alliance |
Worcester |
Massachusetts |
Please see the attached comments and materials in PDF format Please see the attached comments and materials in PDF format |
TCIFeedback5Nov19.pdf |
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11/12/2019 |
Colleen |
Forti |
Unenrolled |
Worcester |
Massachusetts |
I am against TCI and reject the State of MA. attempt to bypass the legislature by instituting this policy without a vote.
I’m requesting that your organization do the right thing by making... read more I am against TCI and reject the State of MA. attempt to bypass the legislature by instituting this policy without a vote.
I’m requesting that your organization do the right thing by making a legislative vote or referendum a requirement for each state before they can proceed. |
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12/1/2019 |
Bette |
Robo |
independent |
Worcester |
Massachusetts |
Voters already voted down gas tax. Why do this when you will impact poorer people who have no choice on how to get to work. Voters already voted down gas tax. Why do this when you will impact poorer people who have no choice on how to get to work. |
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12/1/2019 |
Christopher |
Shevchuk |
Private Citizen |
Worcester |
Massachusetts |
I find it incredibly galling that Massachusetts Taxpayers made their will known when they rejected an automatic gas tax increase and instead the political class are trying to get it through... read more I find it incredibly galling that Massachusetts Taxpayers made their will known when they rejected an automatic gas tax increase and instead the political class are trying to get it through the back door.They have no respect or sympathy for people who work every day trying to pay the bills. |
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12/2/2019 |
Patrick |
Dymek |
None |
Worcester |
Massachusetts |
As a resident of Massachusetts, I oppose the new tci and I am sick and tired of getting taxed every time the climate change advocates think I am doing something wrong. We pay as lot of taxes as it... read more As a resident of Massachusetts, I oppose the new tci and I am sick and tired of getting taxed every time the climate change advocates think I am doing something wrong. We pay as lot of taxes as it is for gas, electricity and many other things in my life. There is no fact based evidence that taxing the my gas tank will ever preserve the planet. Leave the common man and woman alone. Do what the rest of the state does and work with what you have. Enough is enough! |
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12/3/2019 |
S |
Marengo |
Tax Payer |
Worcester |
Massachusetts |
Kathleen Theoharides states the difference between TCI and a gas tax is the point of regulation. This is irrelevant to consumers who will soon be paying more at the pump for this backsliding tax... read more Kathleen Theoharides states the difference between TCI and a gas tax is the point of regulation. This is irrelevant to consumers who will soon be paying more at the pump for this backsliding tax scheme. While taxpayers are the most obvious victims of this situation, individual legislators are greatly affected as well. They are being stripped of their rights and denied the opportunity to carry out the duty they were elected to perform. Taxpayers and constituents deserve better than having such a tax being implemented without explicit legislative approval process. I agree with others that it is a very slippery slope for Massachusetts. Lawmakers from other states in the TCI agreement are seeking legislative approval. Governor Baker’s administration, whether legally required or not, should also act in good faith and seek legislative approval. There must be an open and transparent legislative process on the details of the agreement. |
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12/15/2019 |
Greg |
Petros |
Independent |
Worcester |
Massachusetts |
This is simply a way for the government to collect more of hard-working taxpayer money. Taxpayers like myself have to commute to work. I do not apologize for not being able to utilize public... read more This is simply a way for the government to collect more of hard-working taxpayer money. Taxpayers like myself have to commute to work. I do not apologize for not being able to utilize public transportation. For me there is no direct route from Worcester Massachusetts to Norton Massachusetts. Therefore I must commute, pay for gas, and sit in traffic. For once in my life I would like the government to actually hold themselves accountable and create a budget. Once his budget is accomplished, then we can fund any and all initiatives that protect the environment or reduce carbon emissions. |
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1/18/2020 |
Emily |
Castner |
concerned taxpayer |
Worcester |
Massachusetts |
Thank you for finally getting together in a bipartisan fashion to take action on global climate change by working on the transportation sector in the northeast. We are already seeing the effects... read more Thank you for finally getting together in a bipartisan fashion to take action on global climate change by working on the transportation sector in the northeast. We are already seeing the effects of climate change in increased severe weather events and hotter temperature. The poor among us bear the brunt of the burden. Seeing that Massachusetts people are involved, I trust you will continue to lead. When investments are made in clean energy, I trust you will consult the communities involved, especially the poorer ones. Hopefully I will live to see the day (I am 79) of efficient train and bus service, electric car charging stations and dedicated bicycle and walking paths. The cost of doing nothing will be greater than that of taking action now. |
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2/23/2020 |
Cheryl |
Alison |
Tufts University |
Worcester |
Massachusetts |
Travel within Massachusetts, particularly commuting into Boston, has become something of a regular nightmare. We travel several times a week between Worcester, MA, where we live, and Boston or... read more Travel within Massachusetts, particularly commuting into Boston, has become something of a regular nightmare. We travel several times a week between Worcester, MA, where we live, and Boston or Medford, MA where we teach at Tufts University's different campuses.
My partner takes the train; I drive due to disability issues that make it hard to walk to the train and walk from the train to work. The train is quite expensive, and he has a few times been caught very late getting home (sometimes more than an hour) because of issues with the trains or tracks. Driving sometimes takes a considerable amount of time due to congestion; we worry about the possibility of traffic accidents, given the high rate in the area.
Both of us would prefer if there were faster, more reliable, cheaper transportation. It would be amazing if there were a higher-speed train that did not cost around 25 dollars to take it to Boston and back.
I'm not sure what the exact right answer is, but I know that Massachusetts must lean hard into investing in its infrastructure if we are to sustain increased population growth and a thriving economy. Otherwise, our roads will become more jammed and our air worse. Tempers will continue to flair (Masshole should not be a term!). Why not plan for the future with a state-of-the-art railway? If there were better park-and-ride options here in Worcester, I might be able to partake.
Lots to consider. The only wrong thing to do is nothing.
Thank you for your time! |
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