Fury as US state weighs up border toll for visitors and declares war on pickup ... trends now
The concept of tolling drivers entering the state of Massachusetts has angered some Americans - including local politicians.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, 49, was among those to speak out, after the idea was floated last week by Bay State Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt.
The Republican slammed the prospective guidance as ' yet another way to unnecessarily take [citizens'] money,' this time by taxing them at the state border.
The yet-to-be penned bill would affect travelers on roads, rails, and local transit systems, Tibbits-Nutt said, and would be in effect all throughout Massachusetts.
The concept has since drawn criticism from conservatives like Sununu, who sounded off in a statement Friday.
Bay State Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt floated the idea last week during an advocacy meeting on April 10
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, 49, was among those to speak out, issuing a statement this Friday
'Looks like Massachusetts has found yet another way to unnecessarily take your money,' Sununu, a Republican, told the Boston Herald.
'All the more reason for more Massachusetts residents to make the permanent move to New Hampshire,'
The Granite State governor added: 'The Live Free or Die state continues to be the place to be.'
Other local conservatives also piped up about Tibbits-Nutt's remarks at the advocacy meeting April 10, which included some not-so-kind word about pickup drivers,
'We can't price them high enough or put enough fees on them … that's going to stop the type of person who wants to buy that car,' the state worker said, after being asked if there's anything her department can do 'to help protect residents' from their emissions, or deter people from buying them.
'I am 100% passing judgment on someone who wants to drive basically an 18-wheeler as their personal car, we have no control over it,' Tibbits-Nut said in response.
'We can't. There's nothing we can do. At least legally, there's nothing we can do about it.
Massachusetts Republican Party Chair Amy Carnevale on Friday said those comments showed the 'true nature' of the administration of Gov. Maura Healey - the Democrat who oversees the Bay State.
Tibbits-Nutt's remarks at the advocacy meeting on April 10 included some not-so-kind word about pickup drivers, and the emissions their vehicles emanate
'We can't price them high enough or put enough fees on them … that's going to stop the type of person who wants to buy that car,' the state worker said, after being asked if there's anything her department can do 'to help protect residents' from the vehicles, or deter people from buying them
'I am 100% passing judgment on someone who wants to drive basically an 18-wheeler as their personal car, we have no control over it,' Tibbits-Nut said in response. 'We can't. There's nothing we can do. At least legally, there's nothing we can do about it'
'Already grappling with the burden of unaffordability, the prospect of more tolls, increased taxes on Uber and Lyft rides, Amazon deliveries, and payroll taxes only adds to the struggle of Massachusetts residents,' the conservative said, pointing out some of the side effects of such a guidance.
'No Massachusetts resident wants that. It's abundantly clear that the Healey-Driscoll administration's approach to
