LETTER: First Our Zoning, Now Our Odometers: Why “Freedom To Move Act” Is A Bridge Too Far

Dear Editor,

The “Freedom to Move Act” (S. 2246) is a misguided attempt at climate policy that threatens the personal liberty of Tewksbury & Wilmington residents. By tasking the state with setting targets to reduce “vehicle miles traveled,” this bill paves the way for government-managed travel and potential mileage caps.

In a suburban community like ours, driving isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. This mandate ignores local priorities, stripping away the autonomy of families who rely on their cars for work and school. Furthermore, this policy is inherently regressive. Higher-income individuals can often afford to live near transit hubs or pay potential “user fees,” but lower-income residents—who often have the longest commutes out of economic necessity—will bear the heaviest burden. It effectively penalizes those who can least afford it for simply trying to get to work.

The state’s recent pattern of withholding grants from towns like Tewksbury over the MBTA Communities Act shows a growing disdain for municipal independence. We must reject the “Freedom to Move Act” before our right to travel is treated like a privilege the state can ration.

George Ferdinand

Tewksbury