TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Material submitted through the TCI Public Input form from April 2019-February 2021 is viewable here. View input submitted from March 1, 2021 forward here. All material submitted on this page informed the participating jurisdictions in the 2019-2020 TCI regional policy design process. Click on the column headings to sort the submissions.

Date	First	Last	Affiliation	City	State	Input	File
10/6/2020	Frank	Allen	Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust	Lexington Park	Maryland	Most transportation discussions and plans pay very little attention to "active" transportation - walking, wheelchair use, and bicycling. It could be a key transit option for short trips... read more Most transportation discussions and plans pay very little attention to "active" transportation - walking, wheelchair use, and bicycling. It could be a key transit option for short trips - a few miles for walking and 10 or so miles for bicycles. Active transportation is a zero carbon transportation strategy, is a low cost option for infrastructure development and maintenance, offers great exercise options for participants, and offers low cost/no cost transportation (very high social justice alternative). Europe, with the Netherlands in the lead, has developed such networks and use is very high there - I've tried some of them and love them. My wife on her recumbent bike (severe arthritis) and I do most of our local travel and errands, including food delivery from our small farm and pickup of livestock feed, using our bikes. We were able to do so during the hottest days of summer and plan to do so through winter (proper clothing required). Only snow and ice covered surfaces stop us. Again, I strongly recommend that bicycling and walking should form a key component of a new transportation strategy.	-
12/10/2019	Dan	Allie	Republican	WESTFIELD	Massachusetts	I strongly oppose this effort by Gov. Baker to bypass the state legislature to support TCI and skip the democratic process to create a multiple state program. We already have enough trouble... read more I strongly oppose this effort by Gov. Baker to bypass the state legislature to support TCI and skip the democratic process to create a multiple state program. We already have enough trouble getting our elected officials to provide funding for roads. According to our State Constitution all state taxes must originate in the House. Governor Baker does not have authority to unilaterally raise taxes. Commonwealth Magazine reported that “The expectation of policy makers is that the cost of the allowances will be passed along to drivers at the gas pump, incentivizing them to use less, and the states will divvy up allowance money to support public transit and deal with climate change.” The fund would allow powerful politicians to control and spend money completely separate from the legislature on non-road projects. Voters have repeatedly rejected gas tax hikes and carbon taxes. In California, where a similar program was launched, gas prices went up 12 to 14 cents a gallon and are over 4 dollars today. TCI is attempting to bypass the democratic process without forcing the legislature to take a vote.	-
12/1/2019	Anne Marie	Allison	None	Needham	Massachusetts	Thank God for Howie Carr, for focusing a laser beam on the latest travesty emanating from the jackals in the legislature and the corner office. Once again a permanent gas tax is looming large on... read more Thank God for Howie Carr, for focusing a laser beam on the latest travesty emanating from the jackals in the legislature and the corner office. Once again a permanent gas tax is looming large on the horizon in the guise of “Climate Change” mitigation. Nothing like doing an end run, bypassing the legislative process a la Barack O’Bama. It’s bad enough we have a legislature that is 97% Moonbat, but we have RINO Charlie Baker who also serves at the altar of political correctness and climate change. Needless to say I expected as much from the legislature but am very disappointed with Governor Baker.	-
1/16/2020	Connie	Allison	concerned citizen	GENEVA	New York	I support a transportation system that does not need natural gas or oil. Electric rail using renewable energy sources would be the way to go.We have to reduce our carbon footprint now and... read more I support a transportation system that does not need natural gas or oil. Electric rail using renewable energy sources would be the way to go.We have to reduce our carbon footprint now and transition to cleaner more sustainable alternatives because if we fail to act now, we will destroy our economy and our planet. Natural gas is not a clean alternative. It leaks methane in every phase and is significantly accelerating green house gas emissions	-
11/13/2019	ross	almquist	voter	bridgewater	Massachusetts	Never support a tax that isn't voted on by elected officials. If allowed, vote the official OUT! read more Never support a tax that isn't voted on by elected officials. If allowed, vote the official OUT!	-
2/25/2020	Melanie	Aloi	?	PITTSBURGH	Pennsylvania	Reducing pollution from transportation is a key component to reducing Pennsylvania's emissions. Public transit investments that could be made with TCI proceeds would be valuable. Please... read more Reducing pollution from transportation is a key component to reducing Pennsylvania's emissions. Public transit investments that could be made with TCI proceeds would be valuable. Please choose the aggressive greenhouse gas reduction target that the most recent climate science tells us we need. Please prioritize clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don’t have access to transportation choices.	-
1/16/2020	Edith	Alston	concerned citizen	New York	New York	It is vital for our country to come to terms with the economic, environmental, and health costs of our overall transportation methods and systems along our highways and into the dense populations... read more It is vital for our country to come to terms with the economic, environmental, and health costs of our overall transportation methods and systems along our highways and into the dense populations of our cities. There is information to link all of these and there growing ways to diminish the negative consequences if we are willing to be engaged for the sake of the nation's future.	-
1/16/2020	Peggy	Alt	human	Philmont	New York	Transportation is one of the largest sources of pollution and emissions which contribute to global warming. It is essential that these poisons are reduced, while increasing access to clean public... read more Transportation is one of the largest sources of pollution and emissions which contribute to global warming. It is essential that these poisons are reduced, while increasing access to clean public transportation for every community. New York State must join in this effort. The backward, ignorant, and hateful policies of the current Republican administration must be thwarted and corrected by strong bi-partisan action.	-
1/16/2020	Alison	Altman	First Parish in Cambridge	Cambridge	Massachusetts		-
5/29/2019	Madeleine	Altmann	None	Bedford	Massachusetts	Please have a policy with a price high enough to effectively reduce emissions according to the latest science. Please have a policy with a strong component of social equity and that doesn... read more Please have a policy with a price high enough to effectively reduce emissions according to the latest science. Please have a policy with a strong component of social equity and that doesn't hurt rural or low/moderate income people. Thank you for the bipartisan nature of this project. Government at work for the people!	-
2/21/2020	Madeline	Amalphy	Citizen concerned about the climate crisis	Gaithersburg	Maryland	As a Gaithersburg resident who is extremely concerned about the climate crisis, I commend my home state of Maryland and all of the TCI states for making plans to create a badly needed low-carbon... read more As a Gaithersburg resident who is extremely concerned about the climate crisis, I commend my home state of Maryland and all of the TCI states for making plans to create a badly needed low-carbon transportation plan. I strongly urge you to follow these guiding principles: More public transit and electric vehicle infrastructure in rural areas Expansion of commuter rail, electric vehicles, and streets in the suburbs that are safe, walkable, and bikeable Sustainable and equitable housing near transit and electric bus fleets in urban communities Thank you for your commitment to reducing carbon emissions related to transportation. Our lives are in your hands--the American people expect and urgently need your plans to successfully design and implement a policy that will help avoid the coming climate catastrophe before it's too late to prevent millions of deaths caused by global warming.	-
2/24/2020	George	Aman	Wayne Presbyerian Church	Newtown Square	Pennsylvania	I think the program should include a tax on carbon emissions at the same level in all the states. The proceeds should be applied to transportation improvements to be selected by each stae. I think the program should include a tax on carbon emissions at the same level in all the states. The proceeds should be applied to transportation improvements to be selected by each stae.	-
2/28/2020	Anne	Ambler	Sierra Club	Silver Spring	Maryland	The transportation sector produces just over 41% of greenhouse gas emissions in Maryland. Modeled on the successful system for reducing GHG emissions from power plants, this initiative to cap... read more The transportation sector produces just over 41% of greenhouse gas emissions in Maryland. Modeled on the successful system for reducing GHG emissions from power plants, this initiative to cap and reduce emissions from transportation fuel combustion is one part of a necessary plan to keep GHG emissions at a livable level. I read many of the comments already submitted and find strong support in heavily populated states such as Maryland, New Jersey, others, but opposition in Maine, where people now must rely on private cars in the absence of transit alternatives. This is where incentives should increase public electric transport and purchase of electric vehicles. Folks, we have a climate crisis here we simply must address. This initiative can be a big part of the solution. Thank you for the proposal.	-
10/31/2019	Kenneth	Ames	Concerned Citizen	Waldoboro	Maine	Governor Mills gas tax is not a reasonable option for Maine! Nothing needs to be done about carbon emissions in this state period! Governor Mills gas tax is not a reasonable option for Maine! Nothing needs to be done about carbon emissions in this state period!	-
1/12/2020	Kenneth	Ames	Maine citizen	Waldoboro	Maine	I am dead against any gas or any other type of fuel tax! Carbon emissions is not affecting our climate in any way! Just a bogus political talking point which is completely baseless! I am dead against any gas or any other type of fuel tax! Carbon emissions is not affecting our climate in any way! Just a bogus political talking point which is completely baseless!	-
2/21/2020	Paul	Ames	none	Bellport	New York	In order to limit the worst effects of climate change, we must achieve net zero emissions of carbon dioxide by 2050. This will not be possible unless vehicle emissions are substantially reduced... read more In order to limit the worst effects of climate change, we must achieve net zero emissions of carbon dioxide by 2050. This will not be possible unless vehicle emissions are substantially reduced. Other nations and manufacturers have announced cutoff dates for the elimination of internal combustion vehicles, and we must do the same, as well as expand the infrastructure to support zero emission vehicles such as municipal and commercial recharging stations. All new gas stations should be required to also offer electric vehicle recharging as a condition of their construction permit. We have less than 30 years to do this, so we'd better get started.	-
1/17/2020	Lauren	Amick	Activist	New York City	New York	This world is suffocating and humans are 100% to blame. The pollution that comes from transportation alone is killing the earth since it is the largest source of global warming emissions. We... read more This world is suffocating and humans are 100% to blame. The pollution that comes from transportation alone is killing the earth since it is the largest source of global warming emissions. We need to do everything we can to reduce the pollution that comes from transportation. I request that New York (and all states) formally join the plan to reduce emissions. The policy has a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access.	-
2/21/2020	Lauren	Amick	Ms.	New York	New York	As a resident of both NYC and the world, it is not only important, but imperative to stop the climate crisis. The Transportation and Climate Initiative is bold enough to cut harmful... read more As a resident of both NYC and the world, it is not only important, but imperative to stop the climate crisis. The Transportation and Climate Initiative is bold enough to cut harmful transportation pollution at the scale needed to avert the climate crisis. We need a plan that holds large transportation polluters accountable for the pollution they create and invests in clean transportation solutions including: More public transit and electric vehicle infrastructure in rural areas Expansion of commuter rail, electric vehicles, and streets in the suburbs that are safe, walkable, and bikeable Sustainable and equitable housing near transit and electric bus fleets in urban communities We need a bold and strong plan to save this world. Anyone who opposes this can only be doing so for selfish reasons. The world needs us to fix what we as human beings have broken.	-
1/16/2020	Tom	Amiro	Elders Climate Action	Chelmsford	Massachusetts	• I am a concerned resident, activist, and grandfather. • Reducing pollution from transportation, which is our largest source of global warming emissions (regionally and nationally) is... read more • I am a concerned resident, activist, and grandfather. • Reducing pollution from transportation, which is our largest source of global warming emissions (regionally and nationally) is imperative. • Massachusetts should join the plan to reduce emissions. • I implore that the policy has a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access. • I am thankful for the bipartisan nature of this project, moving us forward while the federal government takes us backward.	-
2/13/2020	Sara	Amish	AmeriCorps	Cambridge	Massachusetts	I have to drive everyday to work, and it just kills me that I have no choice but to contribute to the growing problem of climate change. If we can find a way to create a world where individuals... read more I have to drive everyday to work, and it just kills me that I have no choice but to contribute to the growing problem of climate change. If we can find a way to create a world where individuals did not have to all have cars, that would be a great world.	-

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