TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

As a Massachusetts State Senator, I deeply understand the importance our transportation and infrastructure needs across the Commonwealth. However, there is much debate to be had as to how we pay for said projects. I believe that to impose the TCI fees without a vote from the legislature of the Commonwealth does a disservice to the tax payers that I and my colleagues represent. I ask that the TCI is required to be voted on by the state legislature as a stand alone vote prior to its enactment as a regional agreement. People from all corners of Massachusetts will benefit from a process with greater transparency and accountability.

There is a lot of emphasis on accommodating electric vehicles. This is a great step in the right direction but more investment and resources should be allocated to active transportation modes. The majority of trips within U.S communities are less than 5 miles, distances that are easily covered by bicycles, scooters, and pedestrian modes of transportation.

We should think of our transportation usage like the food pyramid (outdated now, I know) with active transportation modes functioning as the base of the pyramid. We need to build policies and environments that make these forms of transportation the default mode for the majority of our trips.

Please see the attached coalition letter in opposition to the TCI gas tax scheme.

This tax increases should be an open and voted on process, not a mandate from the governor . Do the right thing!

I am strongly in favor this initiative. Most of Vermont's carbon emissions are from the transportation sector and there needs to be an investment to help us make the transition. This type of cap-and-invest program has been hugely successful elsewhere in North America, and I hope we can take this step in the Northeast. The data shows that places with a cap-and-invest program can have their economies grow while their carbon emissions decline. I'm grateful for the work of all those involved.

I think it is wrong for Governor Baker to bypass the democratic process by pushing through a tax increase without forcing the legislature to take a vote. Please stop the Transportation and Climate Initiative.

This proposal is “taxation without representation”. Our forefathers fought against the King of England due to harsh taxes. If Baker approves this TCI tax we must have a Boston TCI Party and declare war against the King of Massachusetts! Please fight against this ridiculous endless tax. Charlie is not a king.

The Baker-Polito administration have once again proven themselves to be a joke. I am embarrassed to say I voted for them, but at one time I believed Charlie Baker would bring some common sense and change to this corrupt state. Our elected officials are only out for themselves led by the biggest pig in the poke Deleo. What a self serving crook, and the rest of the "vote myself a pay raise" electorate are no better. This sneaky tax disguised as some half baked plan to save the environment is just another money grab at the expense of the Massachusetts tax payers who seem ripe for the picking since these same crooked legislators keep getting voted in. Fool me once Governor Baker, shame on you...fool me twice, shame on me. Never again will I waste a vote on you. You have been a big disappointment! NO TO THIS T.A.X.!!! And let's consider term limits for all offices in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Those that stay in office too long seem to come down with a raging case of Greedy Pig disease