Posted on 07/08/2005 8:16:55 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plans to put money into "hydrogen highways" caused a hiccup in the otherwise smooth passage of the new $117.5 billion state budget Thursday.
Lawmakers raised questions about one spending item– $6.5 million for leasing 12 hydrogen-powered vehicles for the state fleet, three hydrogen fueling stations and hydrogen technology research – at a time when other programs are being cut.
"Even as an environmentalist, it's really hard to put $6.5 million into anything when you haven't got any money," said Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, D-Los Angeles, who ultimately voted for the legislation.
--snip--
After that, the state budget bill, SB77, also passed easily seven days into the fiscal year. The budget:
• Increases school funding by about $3 billion but falls $3 billion short of what was owed to schools under last year's budget deal.
• Spends $1.3 billion on roads from a fund that has recently been raided to pay for other state services.
• Repays local governments $1.2 billion one year early for money the state owed them as a result of changes to the vehicle license fee in 2003.
• Raises fees by $219 million but doesn't raise taxes.
Budget writers also returned to a plan to cut in half – to $50,000 from $99,000 – the salaries of members of the California Medical Assistance Commission.
--snip--
The governor took a strong interest in the hydrogen highways proposal during budget negotiations; it was one of the few negotiations in which he personally participated, said Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman of Irvine. "It was important to him," he said.
--snip--
(Excerpt) Read more at ocregister.com ...
A STEP: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger pretends to fuel up the first hydrogen-fueled Hummer during a ceremony to dedicate the first retail hydrogen-fueling station in California in 2004. File photo: The Associated Press
Come on down to aRnie's used hydrogen hummer lot and let's make a deal!
I'm sure at one point the internal combustion engine was considered a stupid idea too.
That's the beautiful thing about science and technology. Quite often, pursuing "stupid ideas" that hardly seem worthwhile or logical will provide unexpected results or new discoveries that are useful in other ways. For example, thats how penicillin came about. And what about the crazy guy flying a kite in a thunderstorm, with a key attached to it?!?!?
Few things are economical for early adopters.
Hydrogen?Smells like methane.
yep yep!
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger pretends to fuel up the first hydrogen-fueled Hummer ...
I assume filling up a tank with hydrogen is a bit more complex procedure, huh? And, you can fill it up every day given the mileage performance. Welcome to 21st century technology!
Members of the opposite sex are not the only thing he's groping!!! Good grief!!! He's a Governor groping around in the damn dark grasping at straws with our money!!!
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