TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Maine is a different state, mostly in climate, but also in the number of people that live at poverty level. In my business I see small businesses that are struggling to stay afloat, make a profit, feed their families, as they watch costs continue to rise. 2018 was profitable for many but 2019 had been different as taxes and costs of goods continually rise. I have lived in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine and I can tell you that Maine should not be joining with these others states in any kind of tax agreement since the disparity in the climate is huge. I see many more people living in poverty in Maine than anywhere else. For 20 years I saw the state gradually get on its feet and now this governor wants to make Maine completely unaffordable. The problem is the poor have no place to go. Many are becoming poor because of the increases in costs by this governor. The people must be the ones to make this decision.

Please do not join this group of states. Living in Maine means that we have to travel long distances to get “anywhere”. I travel over 25 miles one way, just to get groceries once a week. An action made by you which will result in an added tax or price increase to me makes it harder for me to take care of just the basics in life. Please for the love of Pete, do not make life harder for Mainers. It’s just that simple, Janet. Really...

Please do not impose gas and diesel restrictions on Maine. As a citizen of Maine I do not approve of this governor making this decision without an overwhelming citizen approval and more understanding as to its implications

Maine residents already pay higher heating costs . We are a poor rural state and can't afford another pay hike. Governors Mills is wrong on this. NO NEW TAXES

This would make life a lot harder for a lot of Mainers. It will make driving so much more expensive and raise the cost of goods delivered over the road. It will also have a negative impact on tourism in our state. Maine is a very clean climate state to begin with. STOP making it harder for Maine people to live in Maine. Governor Mills is driving young people out of Maine.

This is absurd seeking a higher tax on gasoline and Diesel is going to stop people from driving is crazy mean is a very rural state loss of us depend on transportation for lots of things to get home from work to get to work to go out and buy groceries and things we need for day to day life all a higher tax is going to do is portmore strain and struggle on those who are already struggling and it might even be the tipping point for some people where they may have to give up driving because it becomes too expensive I would love Janet Mills for two weeks to live in a place as a very rural and watch her walk or ride a bike for transportation when the nearest grocery store is 25 miles one way. Adding extra taxes to gasoline and Diesel isn't going to make any difference for the people who can afford to drive there still going to drive but they're going to make sacrifices and other aspects of their life less vacation maybe they won't be able to take the road trip to visit friends and family or they won't be able to take a vacation or trip they desperately need for their mental health I'm 30 years old I work at a pizza place we offer delivery out on the road my drivers only get 5.50 per hour just like a waitress would what's going to happen to them when they can't afford to keep gas in your vehicle because the consumer can't afford to tip because we've had to raise prices to combat this tax every retail outfit any company that relies on trucks bringing their products to them will have to increase prices to make up for the difference in the taxes all of this already trickles down so people who are struggling to make ends meet as it is it doesn't matter how much the United States does to combat climate change will China's out there running rampid with no regulations or a care in the world to come back there impact on climate change they are the heaviest pouliting and country in existence. As a single parent working full-time I'm already struggling to make ends meet as it is I don't know what I'm going to do if this passes and I can't afford to get my son downstate for doctor's appointments he may need this isn't a problem for the people already on state help or receiving any kind of welfare because their costs get passed back onto me the regular average working man so now I have to struggle more and give up more just some more of my money can go to help somebody else that's probably capable of working but doesn't because Janet Mills allows a lot of leniency in slack when it comes to welfare in this state if you want to do something about climate change there's plenty that can be done without targeting the average working American we could be more efficient and what we do with our garbage there are alternative types of fuel that we could invest in do more research on that would help curb this problem hydrogen comes to mind what's only admits water as a by-product for running an automobile there is so much that could be done without charging the average person more money we've tired it on cigarettes and alcohol but no matter how much taxes increase or the prices raise people still buy them and that's not even necessarily something they need for everyday life while driving an automobile might a staple to their life and surviving their livelihood 10000 words simply isn't enough to stress how unnecessary and negatively this is going to impact characters is it enough to educate Janet Mills all alternatives and better solutions than a tax increase we've been raising prices ever since the monetary system has been created does that stop people from buying things no it doesn't it just makes them reprioritize and causes more problems look at the health industry the pharmaceutical industry there are people out there that can't afford the medicine they need to live and we're talkin about raising taxes on gas and Diesel maybe Janet Mills needs to get her priorities set straight because of a tax increase in gasoline and Diesel is more important then having residence homeless residents that can't afford their medicine that ignore going to the hospital because they can't afford it then she truly is lost and has no place being anywhere as a political figure

My husband and I left Maine 6 years ago. We were making plans to return next spring but have had second thoughts since Mills was elected. She is not for helping the citizens of Maine.