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WHAT THEY DRIVE

Opponents of the tailpipe-emissions bill accused some members of the Legislature of hypocrisy for supporting the bill while driving less-than-fuel-efficient SUVs at taxpayer expense. How valid is the allegation?

Assembly lawmakers who opposed the bill drive cars that average about 19.1 mpg, or about 9 percent less than the state average of 20.7. Supporters’ vehicles average about 21.5 mpg, or about 7 percent better than the state average.

In the Senate, bill supporters’ vehicles average about the same as the rest of the state, while bill opponents’ mileage was about 9 percent less.

Just under half the members in each house drive SUVs, mostly Ford Explorers. One lawmaker, Gloria McLeod, D-Chino, drives a Toyota Prius, a hybrid vehicle that averages 48.5 mpg.

Here is how the Orange County delegation voted on the bill, the vehicles they drive and the mileage they get. All cars listed here are leased by the state as part of the legislators’ benefits package, except for John Campbell’s and Joe Dunn’s, which are privately owned.

	Vote on AB1493	Vehicle	Miles per gallon (city / highway)
ASSEMBLY
Pat Bates R-Laguna Niguel	No	1999 Dodge Durango	13/19
Bill Campbell R-Villa Park	No	2002 Ford Explorer	16/21
John Campbell R-Irvine	No	2002 Saab 9.3	23/33
Lou Correa D-Santa Ana	Did not vote	1997 Ford Expedition	12/18
Lynn Daucher R-Brea	No	2001 Cadillac Catera	17/24
Tom Harman R-Huntington Beach	Did not vote	2001 Chrysler 300M	18/26
Ken Maddox R-Garden Grove	No	2000 Ford Explorer	15/23
SENATE
Dick Ackerman R-Irvine	No	2001 Ford Explorer	14/22
Joe Dunn D-Santa Ana	Yes	1993 Cadillac Seville	18/22
Ross Johnson R-Irvine	No	2002 GMC Envoy	13/22