It is a narrow minded and heartless idea to add insult to injury by taxing the poor and unemployed on the very lifeblood they need for transportation.
But in the new era of "green energy", Maura Healey has embarked upon a new path to drag up an old tax increase.
Governor Baker pushed TCI. As if the riots in France were no indication of the impact of Legislative Climate Initiatives Baker forgot his own response with voters over gasoline taxes. Then Candidate Baker, was firmly opposed to the tax increases. This was a major issue of his campaign.
Governor Baker pushed TCI. As if the riots in France were no indication of the impact of Legislative Climate Initiatives Baker forgot his own response with voters over gasoline taxes. Then Candidate Baker, was firmly opposed to the tax increases. This was a major issue of his campaign.
Maybe he was just pushing it off until Maura moved in.
This, from a Boston Globe article at the time:
This, from a Boston Globe article at the time:
"The people who are really going to be hit hard as a result of this are people who are driving into Boston every day, day-to-day workers, people driving for Uber, Lyft for work. They’re going to see dramatic increases," study author William Burke said. "I think our estimates are even optimistic compared to what could actually happen."
Burke is mostly correct. However, Burke is certainly NOT poor or unemployed. Nor does Burke live West of Worcester Mass. Never mind driving into Boston. How about a person in Ringville Mass having to drive to get gas to get a child to school, and then to work (another 20-30 min. drive). Then, they have to drive home, pick up the child, get milk, get gas.
You see my point?
The poor suffer.
NOTE: I live in rural Connecticut. It is $20 a day in gas to get anywhere, any day, for any reason.
In 2014 I interviewed the 2nd Franklin County District Candidate Karen Anderson. She and Susanna Whipps were looking to replace the longtime Democratic Incumbent Denise Andrews. One of the main topics of this interview was the Gasoline Tax.
In 2014 I interviewed the 2nd Franklin County District Candidate Karen Anderson. She and Susanna Whipps were looking to replace the longtime Democratic Incumbent Denise Andrews. One of the main topics of this interview was the Gasoline Tax.
Not only does a tax on fuel affect businesses, commuters and transportation companies the hardest hit are residents in the more rural areas of the state. Residents East of the I-495 corridor cannot comprehend this. In most of those cities and towns you can take a walk, or a bike to a local store and acquire whatever you need at any time. In the rural areas of Massachusetts that's virtually impossible.
Disregard the economic issues facing rural communities. The sheer logistics, geographics and topography is the affect. Kids still have to walk a way's home from designated school bus drop offs. If you are parent with a special needs child, the complications are exponential.
It is a fair bet many of these parents have to drive their children to and from their destinations. The costs in fuel alone must be crippling.
The tax will cripple the poor and extoll hardships on the middle and lower class of Western Massachusetts. And it will do nothing for "transportation" as the Governor claims.
The tax will cripple the poor and extoll hardships on the middle and lower class of Western Massachusetts. And it will do nothing for "transportation" as the Governor claims.
The MBTA does not run out to North Adams Madam Governor.
This is entirely unacceptable. The poor suffer.
I am not going to cloud this piece with manufactured Climate Statistics. Energy policy must be derived from the needs of those who need energy the most and NOT from Legislators who neither understand those needs but in many cases; never pay for it themselves.
I knew Geoff Diehl. I interviewed him. I ran into him on his campaigns many times, and he always took the time to speak with me personally, He is a gracious man and knew firsthand what the TCI tax would mean. If he was the Governor none of this crap would even be on the table.
From a recent article in The Commonwealth Beacon: by Bruce Mohl 1/17 24b1/1/17 24y
"At a time when the state is attempting to encourage a dramatic shift to electric vehicles, the governor indicated it was time to chart a new course for transportation financing in what she called the clean energy era. "
I knew Climate Change would come into play at some point. But the money. What happened to the money?
"...Democrats in the chamber gave Healey warm applause throughout her speech, but even among them there was concern about all the new spending initiatives at a time when state tax revenues are static. Revenue projections are falling short of target levels this fiscal year, forcing Healey to close a nearly $1 billion budget gap by paring back spending by $375 million and tapping interest earned on state bank deposits. Healey did not mention the budget cuts in her remarks..."
Wait the fuck-a-sec... Wasn't there money in surplus from the previous Administration?
"But she did mention free lunch meals for public schools students, stockpiling the abortion pill known as mifepristone."
Oh, so, is that where the money went?
"House Speaker Ron Mariano, a supporter of the tax cut, said he is looking for more details that will come with Healey’s budget proposal next week. “Believe me, we’ll hear if any line items are underfunded,” Mariano told reporters. “Free school meals, that’s something I really believe in and it’s going to be expensive. There are a lot of things in the budget that are expensive already.”
Oh, make sure of that Ron! Watch out for those line items that affect YOUR town. Ronny goes on to explain how much money from the "Millionaire Tax" is yet to be determined. Cuz, they have to figure out how many people making over one million a year packed up and left the state.
What a tool.
So, we can clearly see it is business as usual in the golden dome of Boston. Illegals get all the perks, Business owners get fucked. The poor pay more for gas and groceries. Prices rise, taxes rise and our elected (cough) vote in another raise and wonder why shit is all fucked up here in Massachusetts.
But the new gas tax will solve our Transportaion issues.
....And That Is The Diatribe....
