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
1/12/2020	Larry	Pinkham	Maine Citizen	Phillips	Maine	Being a retired person living on s.s. any thing that cost more will adversely effect my quality of life,as it will for most elderly and poor folk.This poorly thought out scheme will just be... read more Being a retired person living on s.s. any thing that cost more will adversely effect my quality of life,as it will for most elderly and poor folk.This poorly thought out scheme will just be another Nail in Maine's coffin.	-
1/12/2020	Abigail	Dean	N/A	Orono	Maine	This initiative is very concerning to me. What those behind this don’t understand is that many people in rural areas throughout Maine have no choice but to drive trucks and SUVs so we can get to... read more This initiative is very concerning to me. What those behind this don’t understand is that many people in rural areas throughout Maine have no choice but to drive trucks and SUVs so we can get to work in any conditions. Additionally, we can’t afford to drive less - we simply drive to and from work each day and many have at least a 30 minute commute - it’s just the way things are in rural areas. This will have extreme negative effects and will NOT simply make people drive “cleaner and greener” vehicles. The people who can afford to and desire to drive cleaner vehicles already do so. All this change would do is drive up costs (on everything) and drive people OUT of our great state. But I bet the law makers actually know this and are just trying to find a way to get more money out of the people. This isn’t really about the climate..	-
1/12/2020	Robert B	Devost	Mr.	Jericho	Vermont	I oppose the TCI as a regional tax (yes, it is a tax) for several reasons. The main reason I oppose this tax is because there can not be a fair way to distribute the collected... read more I oppose the TCI as a regional tax (yes, it is a tax) for several reasons. The main reason I oppose this tax is because there can not be a fair way to distribute the collected revenue in relation to distributing the money back to the States that may participate. The TCI puts an unfair tax burden especially on Vermont, perhaps the poorest state in this proposed TCI group of states, a rural state where private vehicle transportation is highly if not solely dependent upon all needed purposes for it's transportation needs. Vermont, one could argue, also has the least "climate" impact of all the other states as well which would make the TCI ratio a much higher tax to bear and less a fair return in any proposed "investments" this tax is proposed to create. There is also the near certainty that this TCI tax would only keep increasing to an even wider gap between personal and family income and the ability to absorb increasing this tax level proposed or any future TCI tax increases. This TCI tax would then limit tourism in Vermont and restrict Vermonters the ability to plan for themselves when and how they wish to travel for business and work and for leisure. The TCI would likely not allow and fair representation to a smaller TCI contributor such as Vermont. Any overhead or newly formed bureaucratic oversight of the TCI would likely not be cost effective and a large percentage of TCI revenue would have bloated top heavy administrative costs to set up such a regional program. These are just a few reasons I oppose this TCI tax.	-
1/12/2020	Gail	Ryberg	Massachusetts taxpayer	Hingham	Massachusetts	I strongly oppose Massachusetts participating in the TCI. Climate change caused by human activity has never been proven. This is a plain and simple tax. The legislature must vote on it; this is... read more I strongly oppose Massachusetts participating in the TCI. Climate change caused by human activity has never been proven. This is a plain and simple tax. The legislature must vote on it; this is another taxation without representation ploy.	-
1/12/2020	david	benoit	unenrolled	wareham	Massachusetts	As a senior on a fixed income I oppose this unfair tax. I will not support any politician including Gov. Baker that approves this rip off. As a senior on a fixed income I oppose this unfair tax. I will not support any politician including Gov. Baker that approves this rip off.	-
1/12/2020	Philip	Beaudoin	citizen	South Harwich	Massachusetts	No auto tax! No auto tax!	-
1/12/2020	Leigh	Russell	Taxpayer	Framingham	Massachusetts	When I voted for Governor Baker, I thought he was a stop gap to the money grubbers in the state legislature. During his first term he seemed to be on the side of the taxpayers and opposed the gas... read more When I voted for Governor Baker, I thought he was a stop gap to the money grubbers in the state legislature. During his first term he seemed to be on the side of the taxpayers and opposed the gas tax initiative that got voted down. I am very disappointed; he has become one of them. I pay an exorbitant amount of taxes as it is. Just paid my mother's estate taxes and made me sick. This TCI TAX (not fee) is going to put a strain on most taxpayers as they have no alternative but to drive. I am definitely against this tax and if Governor Baker does run for a 3rd term, he has lost my vote.	-
1/12/2020	Ann-Marie	Grenier	Taxpayer	Windham	Maine	This note is in strong opposition the the TCI (Transportation and Climate Initiative). Let's start with the tax increase to fund Climate Change. The issue of climate change is... read more This note is in strong opposition the the TCI (Transportation and Climate Initiative). Let's start with the tax increase to fund Climate Change. The issue of climate change is up for serious debate with respect to that fact it is caused by humans, and (apparently cows now too). We know we used to be in an ice age. We know that volcanos are the largest contributors to CO2. We also know that it is not the USA alone that affects the atmosphere. We know that climate is changing. We recognize and know there is a difference between climate and atmosphere. What about the other countries. What about the other states. There is too much speculative information as well as too much misinformation to strap the states to this TCI, a localized version of Cap and Trade via the REGGI (Regional Green House Gas Initiative). To those of us watching, and keeping an eye on the hot topics of government we see this as all small bites of the same apple. Government overreach and a way to shackle us in the chains of tax burdens in an attempt to limit and restrict our actions. Let's look at the other states relative to this silly notion of implementing the TCI. So far, we have Vermont, Connecticut, and New Hampshire governors pulling out of the TCI. They clearly understand for a variety of reasons, that the TCI is at best a regressive tax that will negatively affect the economy of their states. This will put a financial burden on the public, & the business community, the very essence of what keeps the states economies moving. We live in the state of Maine, a pretty rural state with many roads and bridges. Currently our politicians-(ex:Bill Diamond state senator from Windham) are already considering a raise in the full tax, and possibly adding new tolls to our highway and road system, all in the name of bridge and road repair. I get we need the keep the infrastructure in good shape. This all should be done through our massive state budget. Things important items need to be prioritized & funded appropriately in the State budget. Now imagine being hit by these two taxes on fuel at the same time. I say this will cripple the Maine economy in a way not seen in a very long time. This type of initiative while seemly well purposed by some-will harm our states economy to the point where it may be unrecognizable. This is a very dangerous proposal. You don't have to be rocket scientist to see the far reaching, long rage negative affects this will have if implemented. For the love of the sate of Maine. I urge you to join with the governors of VT, CT, and NH and withdraw from the TCI. Respectfully submitted Ann-Marie & Randy Grenier 4 Juniper Dr Windham, ME 04062	-
1/12/2020	Thomas	Sullivan	Independent	Northborough	Massachusetts	This is taxation without representation. And, predictions of manmade climate change are NOT being found in the natural world. Hurricanes are NOT increasing in numbers, Tornadoes are NOT... read more This is taxation without representation. And, predictions of manmade climate change are NOT being found in the natural world. Hurricanes are NOT increasing in numbers, Tornadoes are NOT increasing, Wildfires are actually at historic lows (check out Australia during the 70’s, FAR worse fires), and warming we've recently had can be TOTALLY explained as oscillations of the AMO and PDO. We are also WELL within historic warming periods of the Minoan, Roman, and Medieval Warming periods. Current warming is nothing new. Recent research into solar cycles shows that solar cycles actually DO EXACTLY correspond to these natural climate cycles (it's the Sun you fool!). By solar cycles, we are about to enter a Minima period of colder temperatures, starting in the mid 20's, that may last up to 200 years of COLDER temperatures. Anthropomorphic global warming (AGW) is a SCAM meant ONLY to provide an excuse for taxation. This is yet another example of this CORRUPT attempt to CREATE an existential threat, all to fund global (and now local) taxation. I completely oppose this attempt at sliding in a tax based on nothing more than political declarations and failed climate models that have NEVER accurately modeled the natural world. And tell me how many of the AGW climate change predictions have come true? ZERO! I will vote to unseat Charlie Baker in the next election; I only hope Massachusetts can produce a candidate worthy of my vote. Thomas Sullivan Northborough, MA	-
1/12/2020	Robert R	Marshall	Voter	Porter	Maine	Stop this wealth redistribution scam taxpayers will not be able to stop the world from its changing weather it is a living planet!!! So stop the madness of taxation without representation Stop this wealth redistribution scam taxpayers will not be able to stop the world from its changing weather it is a living planet!!! So stop the madness of taxation without representation	-
1/12/2020	michael	fortin	Resident of Maine	madawaska	Maine	I am writing to let you know that I'm in opposition to the TCI gas tax scheme, which would raise Maine's gas prices by about 17 cents per gallon in the first year. This will kill the... read more I am writing to let you know that I'm in opposition to the TCI gas tax scheme, which would raise Maine's gas prices by about 17 cents per gallon in the first year. This will kill the average person, we will have to decide between paying for gas as well as heating oil or other basic needs. If the governor wants all of us to use public transportation or electric cars, then she needs to find other means of doing so! New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut have already stepped away from this horrible deal. Maine needs to step away from this deal. Mainers shouldn't be forced to pay higher prices just to drive and survive.	-
1/12/2020	Robert	Polo	Teamsters Union	Carmel	Maine	Enough with TAXES!! Stop this Climate Change B/S. The USA will be strangled with all this regulation all the while, other Counties carry on doing as they please. TCI go away.....you nuts find... read more Enough with TAXES!! Stop this Climate Change B/S. The USA will be strangled with all this regulation all the while, other Counties carry on doing as they please. TCI go away.....you nuts find something do other than digging around my pockets.	-
1/12/2020	Robert	Kyle	Citizen	Woburn	Massachusetts	Please do not go through with this money grab. You are already pushing many people out of this state with high taxes. Please do not go through with this money grab. You are already pushing many people out of this state with high taxes.	-
1/12/2020	Edmund	Robbins	Boston Scientific	Kingston	New Hampshire	This gas tax will do nothing to help climate initiatives and only further increase the ill-gotten gains of the Commonwealth. Thank God that Governor Sununu has the sense to strike this tax down... read more This gas tax will do nothing to help climate initiatives and only further increase the ill-gotten gains of the Commonwealth. Thank God that Governor Sununu has the sense to strike this tax down before it even started. “Live Free or Die”!	-
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!	-
1/12/2020	Mark	Barrett	None	Wellesley	Massachusetts	This is a tax without a vote by our elected representatives in our MA state legislature. I do not support this tax or initiative. Mark in MA This is a tax without a vote by our elected representatives in our MA state legislature. I do not support this tax or initiative. Mark in MA	-
1/12/2020	Robert	Whitehouse	Republican	North Vassalboro	Maine	This tax would have a negative impact on our economy across the State This tax would have a negative impact on our economy across the State	-
1/12/2020	Rob	Robinson	None	Springfield	Massachusetts	Perhaps the best way to pay for the TCI initiative would be to tax the wealthy by making the administrators at UMASS pay for it. Perhaps the best way to pay for the TCI initiative would be to tax the wealthy by making the administrators at UMASS pay for it.	-
1/12/2020	Robert	Whitehouse	Republican	North Vassalboro	Maine	I strongly oppose a 17 cent per gallon gas tax!! It would have a drastic negative impact on our economy across the State!! I strongly oppose a 17 cent per gallon gas tax!! It would have a drastic negative impact on our economy across the State!!	-
1/12/2020	Rebekah	Bickford	Republican	Winslow	Maine	These taxes are so ridiculous and unnecessary Governor LePage managed to put away a lot of money for the state of Maine without any taxes. Governor Mills has chosen to waste all of that money that... read more These taxes are so ridiculous and unnecessary Governor LePage managed to put away a lot of money for the state of Maine without any taxes. Governor Mills has chosen to waste all of that money that he put away so this stupidity needs to stop now.	-

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