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A bill is currently pending in Massachusetts that would possibly set a goal to limit the number of miles driven by individuals in the state. The limitation is to promote public transportation and push towards decarbonizing the state’s carbon footprint. Even with the bill in limbo, many critics have been outspoken across the entire country, calling the bill a state government oversight. Supporters of the bill argue that it would be a good way to create a change in the state’s carbon emissions.

The bill is being called the “Freedom to Move Act.”

If the bill were to pass, it would create an interagency coordinating council that would be put in charge of creating a plan to reduce personal vehicle usage and promote public transportation. The bill summary states that “The legislation would ensure that Massachusetts stays on track to reduce emissions from transportation — the sector that accounts for the greatest share of emissions in the Commonwealth.”

The bill’s support is led by the State Senate Majority Leader, Cindy Creem.

Creem believes the state needs to shift their decarbonization focus from simply relying on electric vehicles. She stated that because of the Trump Administration’s actions regarding electric vehicles, including withholding funds from electric vehicle charging programs and rolling back emission standards, electric vehicles are no longer a feasible way to reduce the carbon footprint of the state. This is why she and other bill supporters are shifting focus to pushing towards public transportation. With an increase in users of public transportation, less individuals are driving their vehicles which in turn reduces carbon emissions.

The bill has received public backlash on social media.

A clip from Creem’s speech at a legislative meeting from earlier in May was used by right wing commentators. They argued that public transit is not safe in major cities, such as Boston, and argued that leaders like Creem will not help the state. Despite the backlash, Creem and other legislators are standing strongly behind their bill.

A state representative, Mike Connolly, believes people are misunderstanding the bill.

The bill will not explicitly create a limitation on how many miles individuals are allowed to drive. Instead, it merely creates a team and the structures to allow for increased promotion of public transportation and to consider miles driven. Furthermore, the MassDOT and regional planning organizations would only be able to approve projects that worked alongside the greenhouse house gas emissions limits and aided in reducing miles driven.

Should the bill pass, no direct limit would be put in place that banned individuals from driving at a certain point. Instead, the state would begin to incorporate programs to encourage less driving and more public transportation use. For now, the bill continues to be heavily debated by the public and within the state legislative offices.