TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I wanted to share my support for the TCI and thank Governor Baker for his leadership on this issue. I hope Massachusetts formally joins the program and continues to be a leader in environmental concern.

Pollution is making it harder to live on earth. With more & more species extinct every year soon it will be hard for humans to live on earth.
Gov Baker please support and accelerate this Climate & Transportation Initiative.
I would suggest more clean investments in areas with the most pollution and helping folks who have less access to transportation choices.

I am concerned about the cost of this initiative and would like to know the expected cost increase to a gallon of gasoline. I would also like to be informed of any future public meetings in NY regarding this issue.
Thank you.

I am against the disguised tax!

First, the government(s) should not be in the business of choosing winners and losers in the marketplace with the use of taxes, rebates, tax incentives, or any other artificial economic drivers. Let the marketplace function freely, and the most efficient and fair solutions will arise free of government interference, which has proven to be a poor substitute for the market time and time again.

Second, the need for infrastructure improvements and repairs (long lived assets) can be financed with long term bonds when we are in a very attractive borrowing cycle, but only if needed. This at least matches the asset life with the debt duration.

Third, Maine's budget is long on spending on "soft" programs to the detriment of hard spending. That reflects a fundamental difference that needs bi-partisan cooperation to solve, the likes of which we've not seen from Mills, Jackson, Gideon.

Fourth, Maine has some of the highest rates of overall taxation in the entire USA, while not representing any particular reason for that excessive spending. Perhaps Maine needs to review overall finances in a comprehensive manner.

Fifth, taxes should be direct, at the pump, and honest. This is neither. If you want to encourage conservative, a pump tax will have a subtle, direct effect. Not one I agree with, but it is honest.

I vote NO!

The Transportation Climate Initiative sets out a framework that imposes an unfair burden on all vehicle owners and thousands of businesses.

I am opposed to the TCI plan as outlined: Capping sales of gasoline and diesel, requiring suppliers to purchase allowances in order to sell motor fuel, and having consumers pay higher prices at the pump in order to subsidize electric vehicles.

This proposal negatively impacts low income Vermonters, particularly those that live in rural areas of the state. It would only help those who are considering purchasing a new electric vehicle and/or those that live in urban areas with access to public transportation.

Furthermore, while some consumers may be able to choose public transportation or an electric car to avoid the increased cost in gasoline, there is no viable option for businesses that need diesel trucks. In Vermont, 25% of the motor fuel sold is diesel— and we need diesel trucks to haul milk, logs and other products that benefit our agricultural economy. Diesel is also sold with increasing blends of renewable biodiesel, which is critical for Vermont and the Northeast to meet our energy goals.

We ask you to slow down this process, consider taking diesel fuel out of TCI and ensure that renewable liquid fuels such as biodiesel are not taxed in the same manner as petroleum fuel.

The citizens of Massachusetts should get to vote on this. I don’t have faith in the State House. Let the people of the Commonwealth decide for themselves!