TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I do not want my state to belong to any such agreement. Maine cannot afford to drive more expensive cars or drive less because we are a rural state. We must drive many miles to get to urban areas. We need to be able to support efforts that meet our needs in Maine, not other states particularly with more populated areas. TCI is a regressive hidden tax that would be levied on Maine drivers. We are already taxed too much. Our legislature should make these decisions for Mainers, not unelected councils such as TCI.

With a state that has deliberately placed itself in the current position as the most costly energy rates and related state taxes (as the state and cities and towns are high energy consumers) this proposal is both absurd but another step to further repress the economy of Rhode Island and its citizens and retirees. Our population decline demonstrates that clearly. Mismanagement of the state pension fund has precipitated an ill conceived freeze of paid for COLA's to those already retired precipitating a decline a normal sources of modest income to the state economy while union cronies of the governor got consecutive pay raises for four years from the General fund that was not financed. What is going on in this poorly managed state? Political ambition and throwing the most vulnerable under the bus. Tell the General Assembly that the Point Judith fund purchase by the state pension fund should be cancelled immediately on the grounds that such commitments can be cancelled fro a "reasonable public purposes" and mandate the state sports betting contract be rebid competitively to stop financing crony jobs while the state fails its fiduciary obligation to balance its budget and finance its pension fund to long term retirees, all from the proceeds of this sports betting venture. The TCI nonsense must be eliminated now as membership in the regional group that came up with this foolishness has never redounded to the benefit of RI. We need a new pipeline of natural gas to get cheap Marcellus Shale gas and tell Governor Cuomo that NY is restraining trade to access the shale gas, costing RI billions of annual dollars every year, preventing the state from becoming a port to export this gas also overseas. This proposal feed the anachronistic and radical environmental thinking the Governor and some members of the General Assembly are advancing. Stop this travesty now. Revive the state economy by rejecting the TCI and adopting the policies suggest herein now.

This is the most unfair tax I have heard of. I’m retired and in rural Maine. I also deliver meals on wheels. You don’t have a clue. I will not support this insane idea or vote for you again. Other NE governors have figured this out. Hope you do soon

I care deeply about reducing pollution from transportation, which is our largest source of global warming emissions (regionally and nationally). Every State in our country should participate and do everything it can to clean up and maintain our environment not only for us but for the health of the entire planet. The policy should have a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access.

Thank you for the bipartisan nature of this project, moving us forward while the federal government takes us backward!!!!! Your work is greatly appreciated.

We need to reduce carbon emissions to save the world's climate. A low-carbon transportation system represents a step in this direction. I encourage its development.

Do not pass the TCI!
We do not need any more costs burdened on the taxpayer. Increases in gas ripple through and raise all other costs of living.
All government cost increases must be run thru the legislature and not occur automatically.

No one will die on the streets if we cut taxes one dollar as Michael Dukakis said. If you need extra monies consider the following:
We certainly have existing programs that can be scaled down or eliminated.
We should not be allowing double collection of pensions
Pensions and wages need to be more in alignment with those in the private sector
Stop funding illegal aliens Housing, welfare, medical, and any other related costs
Fully investigate welfare for fraud
Investigate expenditures
We do not have a funding problem, we have a spending problem!

That the Federal Government pollution standards from vehicles is too high for proper pollution reduction, that gasoline engines will antiquate within a couple of decades due to projected shortages and that the science now understands the effects of this type pollution on the most vulnerable, it is time to remove ourselves from inefficient and poorly designed transportation systems.

This initiative is harmful to R.I. residents. R.I. is already overtaxing its citizenry. It is almost impossible for people living on a fixed income to remain in R.I. It is irresponsible to sacrifice the current needs of the citizens for the possible potential needs of future citizens.