12/4/2019 |
Jean B |
DiVIncenzo |
MA VOTER |
NORTH READING |
Massachusetts |
I am expressing my opinion to end the TCI-TAX NOW AND FOREVER. I am expressing my opinion to end the TCI-TAX NOW AND FOREVER. |
- |
12/4/2019 |
Glenn |
Putek |
Independant |
Monson |
Massachusetts |
I don't want anymore money given over to these pie-in the sky efforts to fuel another Government mandated scam to force feed the public into believing the world is going to end in 12 years if... read more I don't want anymore money given over to these pie-in the sky efforts to fuel another Government mandated scam to force feed the public into believing the world is going to end in 12 years if we don't do anything. It's BS and everybody knows it |
- |
12/4/2019 |
tony |
zatoonian |
tax paying citizen |
waltham |
Massachusetts |
You can't squeeze blood from a stone, but that never stops the legislature from trying to figure out a way!!! Mass government is overpaid, over bloated, over nepotized and GREEDY!!! If you... read more You can't squeeze blood from a stone, but that never stops the legislature from trying to figure out a way!!! Mass government is overpaid, over bloated, over nepotized and GREEDY!!! If you would stop overpaying these nepotized jobs and WASTING tax payer money, there would be plenty to get things done. You legislators should be ASHAMED for the NON-STOP ways you try to squeeze us unfortunate residents of this WASTEFULL and CORRUPT state! |
- |
12/4/2019 |
tony |
zatoonian |
tax payer |
WALTHAM |
Massachusetts |
Additionally, call it what you want, but this is another TAX your trying to ram through, not a fee! I'll be voting out all who are for this FEE and will be encouraging everyone I know to... read more Additionally, call it what you want, but this is another TAX your trying to ram through, not a fee! I'll be voting out all who are for this FEE and will be encouraging everyone I know to vote you all OUT!! |
- |
12/4/2019 |
Cornelius |
Horan |
Citizen "Stakeholder" |
Chelmsford |
Massachusetts |
The intent of your initiative is most laudable, but as the old saying goes "the devil is in the details". And in that initiative I see numerous details that provide opportunities for the... read more The intent of your initiative is most laudable, but as the old saying goes "the devil is in the details". And in that initiative I see numerous details that provide opportunities for the devil to do what the devil does.
A cursory examination of your website reveals that you intend to reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels through "a cap-and-invest program or other pricing mechanism".
Please define "other pricing mechanism". Is there more than one? And just who will pay for the monetary needs of the "other pricing mechanism"? I think I can make a pretty good guess.
Your Draft Regional Policy Proposal decrees that:
Spring – Fall 2020 – Participating jurisdictions develop a “model rule” and take any legislative steps that could be needed to implement the regional program.
2021 – Jurisdictions conduct rulemaking process to adopt regulation
So how do you define “jurisdiction” what “legislative steps” will the “jurisdiction” take? Do you mean a mandated increase of the excise tax that Massachusetts taxpayers are already paying for gasoline? We Taxpayers will have something to say about that, and it won’t be “Yassa, Boss.
I recommend that you review the history from which you have obviously not learned. In 2013 the Mass legislature tried to tie future increases in the state gasoline to the CPI – in other words an Automatic Gas Tax Increase. The very next year the people of Massachusetts successfully put on the ballot a referendum question on that fuel tax increase and threw it right back in the legislators' faces. And the minute you try to shove your “other pricing mechanism” down our throats you had better brace yourselves for the very same reaction.
Having reviewed the many implications and the expected results of your planned "initiatives" I have just two words for you -- and those two words are not "Happy Birthday". Those words also apply to the horse you rode in on.
Sincerely yours,
Cornelius Horan
|
- |
12/4/2019 |
Marc |
Lombardo |
MA House of Representatives |
Billerica |
Massachusetts |
Any revenue mechanism should be passed through the legislature and not done unilaterally by the executive branch of government. Tax increases must be initiated by the House of Representatives and... read more Any revenue mechanism should be passed through the legislature and not done unilaterally by the executive branch of government. Tax increases must be initiated by the House of Representatives and having a Governor sign this on his own authority is a bad precedent. |
- |
12/4/2019 |
Stewart |
Roach |
NORWOOD YACHT SALES |
N QUINCY |
Massachusetts |
Do not impose a new gas tax Do not impose a new gas tax |
- |
12/4/2019 |
Stewart |
Roach |
NORWOOD YACHT SALES |
N QUINCY |
Massachusetts |
Do not impose a new gas tax Do not impose a new gas tax |
- |
12/4/2019 |
Douglas |
Knox |
Unenrolled |
Reading |
Massachusetts |
I believe there are many aspects to this proposal that are not equitable or fair. The burden will be borne by people who are forced to find affordable housing away from cities where the jobs are... read more I believe there are many aspects to this proposal that are not equitable or fair. The burden will be borne by people who are forced to find affordable housing away from cities where the jobs are located. I am concerned about climate change, but once again the wealthy that live in the cities or expensive homes that are not fuel efficient or use more fuel with a single private jet flight than the low and middle class consume.
I appreciate the need to act, but I am concerned about the long term impact of electric car batteries, particularly in third world nations where they are dumped. Car MPG has improved tremendously and emissions have been reduced as well. Great progress has been made. In my opinion, this is attempt to circumvent the constitution to tax the people with the least influence without proportionally affecting all.
The state has spent billions on public transportation without increasing capacity or convenience. The lack of seating and frequent delays force people into their cars.
There are many ways the environment could be improved without causing inequitable impact on the citizens of the state |
- |
12/5/2019 |
Daniel |
McLaughlin |
independant |
Berkley |
Massachusetts |
I am opposed to this automatic tax increase on fuel. We are to be charged a carbon tax, how do we get a carbon credit? I own over two acres of land which is 95% tree covered, that should more... read more I am opposed to this automatic tax increase on fuel. We are to be charged a carbon tax, how do we get a carbon credit? I own over two acres of land which is 95% tree covered, that should more than adequately cover my carbon emissions. People driving electric cars, which pollute at the power generation plant, would not pay anything? This is just another money grab. Massachusetts currently has a budget surplus of one billion dollars, put it aside as an endowment to fund climate initiatives and stop increasing costs to taxpayers. |
- |
12/5/2019 |
Harry |
Pizer |
independent |
CAMBRIDGE |
Massachusetts |
Dear Governor and Mass Legislators,
I am writing to oppose the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) gasoline tax, which is being considered outside the normal legislative process.... read more Dear Governor and Mass Legislators,
I am writing to oppose the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) gasoline tax, which is being considered outside the normal legislative process. The TCI claims to address a crisis that does not exist. The earth, and its climate, is sustaining more people, living longer and in better health than ever before in human history. Before passing new taxes, be mindful that climate science is in its infancy and the doomsday environmental predictions of the last half century have always been wrong, whether acid rain, the zero population movement, ozone depletion, nuclear power, the earth is running out of fossil fuels. Until more is known and the theories have been tested and retested, don't pass the TCI, if for no other reason than it will disproportionately hurt the less affluent in our state. |
- |
12/5/2019 |
christopher |
fabbri |
voter independent |
Ipswich |
Massachusetts |
We have a gas tax already, we have excise tax, we have income tax, we have sales tax, we have property tax, I don't think I need to continue there. Wait we also have fees now vs tax, like... read more We have a gas tax already, we have excise tax, we have income tax, we have sales tax, we have property tax, I don't think I need to continue there. Wait we also have fees now vs tax, like my child has to pay a fee to take a bus to school? nice way to bypass a vote. Weather or not it is local, state or federal the tax burden is out of control. For the first time younger generations wont have the same quality of life their parents did. Meanwhile government employees who traditionally made less than the private sector in exchange for retirement benefits now enjoy the same salary as the private sector or higher with massive pension benefits. State cops making 250k, MBTA workers the same and retire with pensions after 25 years that we pay for many more years. Run a responsible government and all the funds that are needed are their with no new taxes. Stop hiding behind the education, public safety, environment and infrastructure card you play to steal more from us. Our children's futures deserve to have the same standard of living the boomers and following generation did. You the generation I am a part of are ruining our country at the expense of the younger and elderly. The founding fathers revolted for much less. All we have to do is look at a state like NH and their tax more reasonable tax burden to see what a bloated government system we have in MA. |
- |
12/5/2019 |
Thomas |
Monahan |
None |
Marshfield |
Massachusetts |
I strongly oppose the TCI. We repealed the automatic gas tax increase at the ballot box in 2014 by a margin of 53-47. All new taxes are supposed to originate in the House of Representatives not... read more I strongly oppose the TCI. We repealed the automatic gas tax increase at the ballot box in 2014 by a margin of 53-47. All new taxes are supposed to originate in the House of Representatives not with the Governor. We need to see which of our elected office holders are in favor of this disastrous initiative and hold them responsible at the ballot box. Enough of these crazy schemes! Just look to California to see what it has done to the price of a gallon of gas over now over $4.00.
|
- |
12/6/2019 |
Thomas |
Davis |
Independent |
Shrewsbury |
Massachusetts |
Do not impose any more gasoline taxes on us! This whole idea is a scam and simply a way to bypass voters. We already made it clear we do not want more gas taxes. If you want to build some other... read more Do not impose any more gasoline taxes on us! This whole idea is a scam and simply a way to bypass voters. We already made it clear we do not want more gas taxes. If you want to build some other form of transportation, spend the money you already have. You do not need any more money. Stay out of my pocket and leave my car alone! |
- |
12/6/2019 |
Jonathan |
Sahady |
N/A |
Quincy |
Massachusetts |
Please do not raise taxes. Massachusetts residents are overburdened with high taxes and a generally high cost of living. Additional tax burdens will harm individuals financially. I ask you, in... read more Please do not raise taxes. Massachusetts residents are overburdened with high taxes and a generally high cost of living. Additional tax burdens will harm individuals financially. I ask you, in the name of decency, please do not burden us with additional taxes. |
- |
12/8/2019 |
Steven |
DiVirgilio |
www.stevedcpa.com |
Everett |
Massachusetts |
PFMLA tax, increases sales taxes, higher real estate taxes. Time for businesses and individuals to move to New Hampshire!
www.stevedcpa.com PFMLA tax, increases sales taxes, higher real estate taxes. Time for businesses and individuals to move to New Hampshire!
www.stevedcpa.com |
- |
12/9/2019 |
Joseph |
Picone |
Independent |
Belmont |
Massachusetts |
Let's get something straight at the outset. The TCI is a TAX and it's a tax on all of us who use gasoline (which is just about everyone). TCI is also a corrupt scam that bypasses the... read more Let's get something straight at the outset. The TCI is a TAX and it's a tax on all of us who use gasoline (which is just about everyone). TCI is also a corrupt scam that bypasses the legislative process and the will of the people and puts it in the hands of unaccountable bureaucrats all for the sake of stealing money to line their pockets and pay for their "Pet Projects" such as transportation agencies that couldn't run a childs train set, never mind a public transit system. Let's get something else straight . There have been at least 5 ice ages in Earths history and they all happened before mans existence here. In between these ice age periods there were global warm ups that happened without carbon emitting humans or industry on the planet. Man caused "climate change"; global warming; global cooling; climate catastrophe, WHATEVER these climate "kooks" are calling it this week is a total fraud, perpetrated to steal taxpayer money. We need to wake up as a people and stop falling for it. Our gas taxes should be funding the building and repair of our highways, roads, bridges and tunnels ONLY. Nothing else.
|
- |
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. |
- |
12/11/2019 |
John |
Fothergill |
Self |
WESTFIELD |
Massachusetts |
Climate change has been going on since the existence of earth. Sometimes climate change is in the cooling direction to generate an Ice Age. Sometimes it heats up to boil everything off the planet... read more Climate change has been going on since the existence of earth. Sometimes climate change is in the cooling direction to generate an Ice Age. Sometimes it heats up to boil everything off the planet. Either of these events is a restart for fauna and flora on the planet. We have been in the warming phase since the last ice age. Unless you know how to stop this process, humans have been around for an almost immeasurably small part, you are on an exercise in futility and I don't want spend resources that will not help. |
- |
12/11/2019 |
Jay |
Baker |
Independant |
Quincy |
Massachusetts |
I'm sick of paying for the bloated payrolls and pensions for the MBTA and Mass DOT employees which is the biggest reason we pay 4 times the cost of a mile of road in NH and 2 times the cost... read more I'm sick of paying for the bloated payrolls and pensions for the MBTA and Mass DOT employees which is the biggest reason we pay 4 times the cost of a mile of road in NH and 2 times the cost in NY. Cleaning up the patronage in these agencies would also go a long way to reducing costs too.
Don't disguise this as a fee to fight climate change when it's really a hike in the gas tax that allows the legislator not to have to go on record as voting for it.
The tax and spend climate here has to end, get your fiscal house in order now! |
- |