TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

This is just another tax on citizens. Massachusetts leadership are not fiscally responsible. MA. citizens get screwed enough.

I strongly oppose this initiative. Bypassing state legislators and giving unchecked power to the governor robs citizens of their voice. Stop punishing hardworking people to make yourselves feel better.

Dear Legislator,While the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance applauds Governor Charlie Baker and his administration’s efforts to reduce pollution in the transportation sector, we have serious concerns with the direction in which the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) is taking our state, all without explicit legislative approval.While taxpayers are the most obvious victims of this situation, individual legislators are greatly affected as well. Rank and file members are being stripped of their prerogatives and denied an opportunity to carry out the duty they were elected to perform. Taxpayers and constituents deserve more and you should demand more.Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Kathleen Theoharides claims the difference between TCI and a gas tax is the point of regulation. This is irrelevant to consumers who will soon be paying more at the pump for this regressive tax scheme. State Rep. William Straus, House Chairmanof the Transportation Committee, recently eluded to TCI as a gas tax, saying,“All states raise their gas tax the same amount at the same time and agree not to call it a gas tax, but I think the public is smarter than that.”This raises the concern that such a far-reaching tax could be implemented without explicit legislative approval process. In an October 1 story, theBoston Globereported that,“...state officials said they likely have authority under the 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act to implement the agreement without such a vote.”We would argue that authorization, cast on a voice vote over 10 years ago, with no knowledge of today’s proposal, is not sufficient to enact such a significant piece of policy. Make no mistake: this is a very slippery slope for Massachusetts. Although this is still in the early stages, lawmakers from other states in the TCI agreement are seeking legislative approval. Governor Baker’s administration, whether legally required or not, should also act in good faith and seek legislative approval. If he doesn’t, it’s your job to hold him accountable. There must be an open and transparent legislative process on the details of the agreement.

What in the heck are all of you trying to do in the state of Vermont. Our legislature has made our state affordable for all except the rich and the people on welfare. This ends up being another tax on the working class of the state that are already overburdened with with the expense of living here. This is a rural state where people have to drive to get to a job that pays a pittance to what other areas of the country pay for the same work. Please reconsider this tax and get the heck out of the 12 state plan. You have priced my family and other families out of the state. We will be leaving in the spring. YOU WILL NOT GET ANY MORE TAXES FROM US!

TCI - is just another name for a tax. We taxpayers demand a say in this matter, this proposal is forced upon us with any representation. Pathetic proposal by those seeking to impart their ideas upon citizens who may disagree with them. We will be watching!!!!

Our State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) in New York currently focuses on a project's effect on automobile delay (Vehicle Level of Service [LOS]). The State of California, however, has determined LOS does not constitute a significant environmental impact. They are instead now using criteria for determining the significance of transportation impacts to promote: (1) a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; (2) development of multimodal transportation networks; and (3) a diversity of land uses. A precedent that New York State should follow.

In addition, due to their vastly increased risk of serious injury and fatality, the safety of vulnerable road users (pedestrians and bicyclists) should be given relatively more attention. Improving safety is key to complying with policy and planning priorities that encourage multimodal and low-carbon travel.

The fundamental relationship between VMT and safety is summarized by Yeo et al. (2014): “Multiple traffic safety studies showed that higher VMT was positively associated with the occurrence of traffic crashes or fatalities. The causal relationship between the mileage of total vehicle trips and crash occurrences can be explained by probability. With higher VMT, it is more likely that more crashes will occur.” With pedestrian and bicycle injuries and fatalities at a 30 year high, any investments made towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions should also consider safety.

Then TCI initiative is a tax on all of us without representation . It should not be allowed . California is paying gas at $4 plus a gallon and they are falling apart . It is another power grab by you politicians especially without getting the citizens involved .
Please stop this