Massachusetts considers controversial bill to curb car usage amid climate concerns

By bellecarter // 2025-06-01

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Massachusetts Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Stone Creem (D-MA) introduced Bill S. 2246 to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by promoting alternative transportation options like public transit, biking and walking, aiming to minimize reliance on personal vehicles.
The bill proposes creating a commission to develop strategies for decreasing VMT, with the Department of Transportation (USDOT) setting statewide reduction targets for 2030 and every fifth year thereafter, integrating these goals into the state's climate plans.
The bill grants the USDOT the power to implement measures, including rules and regulations, to create an equitable and reliable network of non-personal vehicle transportation options, emphasizing the development of walkable neighborhoods and affordable transportation alternatives.
The proposal faces criticism from groups like the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, which argues it could impose undue burdens and track mileage with potential fines. Sen. Michael Barrett expresses skepticism about the bill's complexity and potential bias against rural areas with limited transit options.

Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Stone Creem (D-MA) has introduced a bill aimed at reducing the number of miles residents drive in their cars. The proposed legislation, which seeks to "reduce the need for personal vehicles," has sparked intense debate across the state. Introduced earlier this year, the bill has garnered attention for its ambitious goals and potential impact on residents' daily lives. Creem's bill, known as Bill S. 2246, proposes the creation of a commission tasked with developing strategies to decrease vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in Massachusetts. The commission's ultimate goal is to minimize the reliance on personal vehicles by promoting alternative transportation options such as public transit, biking and walking. The bill outlines a framework for achieving these objectives, including the potential for fines for excessive driving and incentives for adopting "greener transportation methods." The bill includes provisions that would require metropolitan planning organizations and the state department to ensure that transportation plans and programs align with greenhouse gas emissions limits and VMT reduction goals. According to Section 81 of the bill, the secretary of the Department of Transportation must set statewide VMT reduction targets for 2030 and every fifth year thereafter. These targets will be integrated into the state's broader climate goals and roadmap plans. The bill grants the department the authority to promulgate rules and regulations to implement these measures. This includes assessing strategies to create an "equitable, interconnected and reliable network of non-personal vehicle transportation options." The plan also emphasizes the development of compact, walkable neighborhoods and the advancement of affordable transportation alternatives.

Challenges and criticisms

The proposal has not been without its share of critics. The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance posted a video on May 23 criticizing Creem's bill, arguing that it would impose undue burdens on residents. The alliance's tweet highlighted the potential for the bill to track mileage and impose fines on those who exceed certain limits, framing it as an example of "extreme, out-of-touch policymaking." At a hearing last week, Sen. Michael Barrett (D-MA), Senate co-chair of the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee, expressed skepticism about the bill. He questioned whether the state was layering too many initiatives on top of each other, potentially complicating rather than clarifying the steps needed to achieve climate goals. Barrett also pointed out the unintended bias against rural Massachusetts, where transit options are limited and people often live far from their workplaces. The Old Bay State has been a leader in climate policy, with ambitious goals to reduce emissions and transition to renewable energy. However, the state faces challenges in implementing these policies, particularly in rural areas where transportation options are limited. In 2008, the state passed the Global Warming Solutions Act, which set binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The current bill builds on these efforts, aiming to further reduce emissions by addressing the transportation sector, which was deemed the largest source of emissions in the state. Public response to the bill has been mixed. While some residents support the goals of the legislation, others are concerned about the potential impact on their daily lives. The bill has sparked discussions about the trade-offs between environmental sustainability and personal freedom. The proposal to reduce vehicle miles traveled is a bold step that reflects the urgency of the climate crisis. However, it also raises important questions about the balance between environmental goals and the needs of residents. (Related: Insane EU emissions proposal would require people to buy new cars instead of maintaining existing ones.) Watch the Environmental Protection Agency chief telling climate-crazed Democrats that he refuses to waste tax dollars on "climate alarmism" measures. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Challenges and criticisms

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