Bay State News

Paul Diego Craney, spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, said that the Baker administration hastily implemented a policy change adopting California-style vehicle bans without public scrutiny. This statement was made in a press release on January 3, 2002.

"The only reason for rushing through this policy change the day before New Year's Eve is because you are trying to hide it from the public," said Diego Craney, Executive Director. "The same unelected bureaucrats in the Baker administration that tried and failed to adopt the TCI gas tax scheme are now trying to adopt California bans on certain vehicles that perform crucial roles in the everyday lives of everyone in our Commonwealth."

According to the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, the decision by the Baker administration to implement California's Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulations was made without adequate public input. The Alliance argues that adopting these stringent vehicle emission standards could have significant economic and social impacts on Massachusetts residents. They emphasize the necessity for transparency and public engagement in such policy decisions.

The Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulations, adopted by California in 2022, mandate that all new passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in the state be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The regulations set interim targets requiring 35% of new vehicle sales to be zero-emission by 2026 and 68% by 2030, according to the California Air Resources Board.

Craney serves as the spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, a nonprofit organization advocating for fiscal responsibility and government transparency. He has been vocal on various policy issues, including taxation, government spending, and regulatory matters affecting Massachusetts residents. Craney often represents the Alliance's positions in public statements and media appearances.

The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance is dedicated to promoting fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability within Massachusetts state government. It engages in public policy advocacy, educational initiatives, and grassroots mobilization to influence state legislation and regulations. The Alliance often scrutinizes government actions it perceives as lacking transparency or imposing undue burdens on taxpayers and businesses.