Taxation without Representation Should Not be Tolerated by TCI

Earlier today, the Transportation Climate Initiative released their long awaited memorandum of understanding (MOU) that contains the details of the TCI gas tax scheme. Here are some of the key takeaways: 

List of MA Lawmakers Opposed to TCI Continues to Grow

Calls On Legislature to Take Action Against Regressive, Undemocratic “Sin” Tax Scheme

Help Us Oppose TCI

Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance is fighting to keep our tax dollars low and our state government more accountable. This is why we oppose the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) gasoline tax. TCI is attempting to bypass the democratic process by pushing through a tax increase without forcing the legislature to take a vote.

Eliminating legislative procedure is a very slippery slope for Massachusetts. Whether you support this California style gas tax hike or not, it’s wrong for Governor Baker to pursue a tax increase without a legislative vote. Lawmakers are being completely excluded from the process, despite this being the exact task they were elected to carry out.
 
Your local lawmaker may be excluded from the process, but that doesn’t mean you need to be. TCI bureaucrats are soliciting feedback for their scheme. Anyone from the public can submit their opinions.
 
We need taxpayers to step up and let their loudest voices be heard. You’ve been forewarned, now you are forearmed. It’s time to be heard.
 
Follow these steps:

1. Submit your opinion to the TCI bureaucrats by clicking here.
2. Complete MassFiscal’s Call to Action to contact your lawmakers by clicking here.
3. Post these two links to your social media pages to spread the message to other like-minded taxpayers.
4. Now forward this page to your co-workers, friends, and family so they can do the same.

 
If you would like to learn more about this TCI scheme, read our op-ed in the Lowell Sun, or NFIB’s op-ed in the Lawrence Tribune, Howie Carr's column, or even the recent column in Forbes.

The calls, emails, and comments on the TCI website have already had a measurable effect. In December, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu announced that he would would be withdrawing New Hampshire from the TCI agreement. When asked about his withdrawal, Governor Sununu stated, "New Hampshire is already taking substantial steps to curb our carbon emissions, and this initiative, if enacted, would institute a new gas tax by up to 17 cents per gallon while only achieving minimal results. This program is a financial boondoggle and the people of New Hampshire will never support it."

Moreover, it's come to light that the promised emissions reductions of 20% to 25% are a complete fantasy. The reduction on emissions achieved would be a minuscule 1%. 

Please keep spreading the word. The more people learn about the TCI Gas Tax Scheme, the more they realize it is exactly what Governor Sununu described it as-- a financial boondoggle. 

Thank you for all that you do. Please click below to continue on to the MassFiscal homepage.

And remember! TCI = TAX.

The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance mailed a letter to every state lawmaker and elected municipal official in Massachusetts regarding the proposed Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) gasoline tax. The letter, which may be found by clicking here, is intended to educate local leaders on the realities of the tax scheme.

Pacheco’s Hawaiian Climate Junket Released 1.2 Tons of Carbon

OP-ED by Spokesman Paul D. Craney Appears in Lowell Sun: TCI = T-A-X

...And it Definitely Should Have Legislative Approval