Poll: Support Still High for Transpo Revenues, TCI
With gas prices low but the economy strained, a significant public majority still supports state action to raise new revenue for transportation investments and to join a multi-state roadway fuel cap-and-trade program, according to recent poll results.
TCI Opponents: Gas Price Impacts Underestimated
A new study conducted by opponents of a regional cap-and-trade program for vehicle emissions found that assumptions made by Transportation and Climate Initiative states the program could increase the price of a gallon of gas by 26 cents.
The Market Can’t Solve Climate Change – Yet
The hard steps – adapting how we do business to a low-carbon world – aren’t really happening yet, and for good reason. The money isn’t there. Beacon Hill has a chance to change that.
DeLeo: Transpo Debate Must Come Before Budget
With no clear consensus on Beacon Hill for how to generate new money for transportation, House Speaker Robert DeLeo forcefully recommitted himself on Wednesday to holding a vote on a revenue package in the coming months, even as he continues to seek input from members and outside groups.
Key Legislator: Gas Tax Key to Transpo Funding
House Speaker Robert DeLeo said he’s waiting to learn more about a regional vehicle emission reduction pact before deciding how it will fit into his plan for transportation. But one of his top deputies said it hasn’t changed his mind about increasing the gas tax.
Fuel Carbon Price Plan Could Hike Gas Cost, Generate Millions for Transit
The pact being developed by Massachusetts and other East Coast states to cap carbon emissions from vehicles could add up to 17 cents to the price of a gallon of gas, according to the newest estimates, but could also generate more than $500 million in revenue for transit in Massachusetts.
Regional Carbon Price Coalition Looks Shaky, Imperiling Transit Funding
It’s not clear all Gov. Charlie Baker’s fellow governors are on board with his regional approach to taxing cars’ carbon emissions, putting a big chunk of future transportation funding in doubt.
Mayors, Muni Leaders Back 15-Cent Gas Tax Hike
Dozens of Boston-area municipal leaders on Wednesday endorsed new or expanded transportation revenue options, including a 15-cent increase in the state’s 24-cent per gallon gas tax, as House lawmakers approach a vote on the topic.
Scientists Say Communities of Color are Congestion’s Biggest Victims
A group of 357 scientists say majority-minority cities and neighborhoods are exposed to 66 percent more of a deadly type of pollutant produced by cars, called PM2.5, that can cause cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, and early death.
Baker Opposes “Big Increase” in Gas Tax
With House Speaker Robert DeLeo eyeing a vote in the coming weeks on new transportation revenue, Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday said a “big increase” in the gas tax would be a non-starter for his administration.
Fuel Providers at Core of Multi-State Plan to Cut Transportation Emissions
The coalition of eastern states developing a program to drive down carbon emissions from transportation has decided to focus on motor gasoline and on-road diesel, two sources of pollution that account for over 80 percent of carbon emissions in the region.
Poll Tests Voter Appetite for Transit Fixes, Funding Sources
A majority of residents want to see significant improvements to the commuter rail system, but they also believe the costs should not be passed along to riders in the form of higher fares or an increased gas tax, according to a new poll.
Multi-State Transportation Emissions Deal Could Come as Early as October
Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides told a Senate oversight committee Monday it could expect the early framework for a multi-state pact to reduce carbon emissions from transportation sources by early October, ahead of a legislative summit at Yale.
