| Volunteers across Massachusetts are collecting signatures to put a question on next year’s statewide ballot to let voters decide on a plan to raise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel by 17 cents a gallon, while none of the money actually goes to the state.
Known as the Transportation Climate Initiative, or TCI, it was originally a compact of twelve states which planned to reduce carbon emissions by limiting the supply of gasoline and diesel fuel available to residents, and forcing fuel distributors to purchase credits for the fuel they sold to consumers. Only Massachusetts remains committed to the TCI proposal. The eleven other state legislatures have rejected the idea.
These costs would be passed unto consumers, essentially raising taxes on gasoline and diesel by 17 cents a gallon. Some estimates have the increase as high as 50 cents a gallon. These funds would not go to state government, but to a separate entity, with only half the funds “promised” to go to roads. This represents a huge increase in the price of fuel and none of the money is going to government, but rather to this entity, which has largely fallen apart.
This will drive up costs and drive consumers away, adversely affecting businesses along our borders. We already have a big problem with the taxes and fees Massachusetts’s drivers pay currently, not going to maintain our roads.
In America, there is local, state, county and federal government. There are no “league of states” The use of government power is only justified and moral when it respects the will of the people with “the consent of the governed.” This is unconstitutional and an attempt to create more “unelected and unaccountable government,” not subject to any votes or elected representatives or voters.
Residents need to be aware of what is being proposed and voters should have a say in how our government operate and affects our daily lives.
Volunteers have until mid November to collect signatures and get them to town clerks.
In western Mass, volunteers are collecting signatures outside many Big Y supermarkets.
For information or to volunteer go to:
https://www.stoptcitax.com/volunteer |
