A proposed bill in Massachusetts has kicked off debate over whether the state may begin tracking and restricting how much people drive, or charging them based on how far they travel, as part of state efforts to meet long-term emission goals.
Key Points
- Massachusetts proposes a new bill to explore strategies for reducing vehicle miles traveled as part of its legally mandated net-zero emissions goal by 2050.
- Mileage-based taxes are on the table, though not yet implemented, raising concerns over privacy, fairness for rural drivers, and potential impacts on small businesses.
- The bill aims to shift transportation priorities, promoting alternatives like public transit, walking, and cycling—not restricting driving, but reducing reliance on cars over time.
The new legislative proposal doesn’t introduce any immediate changes to the way residents pay for roads or fuel; but it does lay the groundwork for a potentially radical shift in how personal transportation is taxed and prioritized in the years ahead.
The legislation follows a 2021 state law requiring Massachusetts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This new bill aims to aggressively support that law by expanding transit options and encouraging alternatives to driving—but it also includes more controversial ideas, like implementing mileage-based fees that would charge residents directly for how much they drive.
CBS News reports opponents of the bill are arguing the language within the bill leaves the door open to future restrictions on car and truck use. Paul Craney, executive director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, characterized the proposal as a move toward government control of mobility…