Posted on 01/20/2007 6:10:05 PM PST by NormsRevenge
Nearly half the state Assembly is switching to hybrids as their choice for state-leased vehicles, a marked change from the gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles and luxury sedans that have long been favored by lawmakers.
Thirty-nine of the 80 Assemblymembers now are driving hybrids, up from 27 last year. Of the 40 senators, 13 opted for hybrids, three more than last year.
State lawmakers choose their official vehicles, which are subsidized by taxpayers.
Legislators had been criticized for voting for clean air and greenhouse gas laws while driving higher polluting vehicles.
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, for instance, was driving a 2003 Ford Explorer last year as he pushed passage of AB32, the landmark law to fight global warming. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has two Hummers converted to use alternative fuels, is seeking to tighten tailpipe emissions again this year.
"I do believe in the notion that you have to practice what you preach. In my case, the alternative is here," said Nunez, who now squires a new Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
Being green isn't cheap, however. The Assembly doubled the extra allowance for hybrids to $6,000 to offset the higher price of those vehicles, which Nunez suspects encouraged more lawmakers to make the switch.
Across the Rotunda, Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, has yet to be converted. His chamber offers no incentive for leasing hybrids, and Perata drives a maroon Dodge Charger.
"It's good to see that our legislators are walking the walk more than they had in the past when it comes to choosing their state vehicles," said Sierra Club lobbyist Bill Magavern.
However, some hybrids use as much or more gas as a standard vehicle.
For instance, the all-wheel-drive 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid assigned to freshman Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Hesperia, gets about 18 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.
"I don't fit into a small car - it's just not comfortable," said Adams, who weighs about 300 pounds. "Besides, in my district, I have mountain communities, desert communities and suburban communities, and a truck fits my needs better in reaching my constituents."
The Highlander favored by Nunez and others gets about 32 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, compared to the Toyota Prius' 60 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway.
Just 17 of the 52 hybrids driven by state lawmakers fall into the most fuel-efficient category commanded by the Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and the discontinued Honda Insight hybrid.
How is the world does CA afford to be itself ?
I think with the huge tax increases that would seem to be inevitable.
But what if they were paying for everything with their own money?
If they want to save energy they should meet only three weeks a year.
Any hybrid limos?
The Assembly doubled the extra allowance for hybrids to $6,000 to offset the higher price of those vehicles
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Is the difference in price $6,000? Maybe I'm wrong but it appears they'll be making money on that deal
"If they want to save energy they should meet only three weeks a year."
That would probably be an increase over the time they currently meet for.
It's easy to have principles when someone else is paying for them...
They could all meet on DemocraticUnderground!
The question that should be asked is WHY ON EARTH DO THESE PEOPLE GET CARS?
I guess the real question is....when will they send their kids to public schools?
Think of all the hot air we could be recycling while they're in session.
Especially the one who said he is 300lbs.
Well, why dont they carpool they expect everyone else to do it. Just a thought.
I guess driving a hybrid is like walking.
I'll stick with my 64 Cobra
Our "public servants" show no bounds to their willingness to spend taxpayer money on their politically correct folly.
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