[John Jorsett]

There must be some sort of mistake. The California GOP appears to be growing itself a spine.

[NoKnownPurpose]

This is one problem we'll never have in Detroit... ;)

In my mind though this is simply a means for CA to extract more tax revenue. If they were REALLY concerned about the environment they would invest more heavily in mass transit and provide a viable alternative to owning a vehicle.

[Jagdgewehr]

"Republicans are narrowing their support down to the black helicopter people and other crazies."

Otherwise known as concerned tax paying consumers.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

"..who represents the Sierra Club in Sacramento, said Republicans are making a mistake trying to capitalize on the auto emissions measure." Oh, do we think that the California shoulod take the advice of the SIERRA CLUB????

Yeah, right. They have the Republicans best interests at heart- you bet.

[rintense]

Heh. I thought they were going to try and take my #1 driver from my golf game. As usual, the dems are completely off the mark. They are so far off the pulse of Americans there should be a flat line. I'll be thinking of the dems when I purchase a SUV later this year.

[Reeses]

Larry Fisher said, "I think an educated motorist would say, 'Yeah, I guess I better pay for that.'"

His liberal elitism is showing. If you don't agree with him, you are uneducated. I guess it's the liberals own fault they have to live with us conservatives since they failed to educate us properly in their socialist school system.

[Southack]

Cars are a populist issue. In my opinion, the Democrats' attacks on highway funding (pulling a Billion Dollars out of reserved California highway funds for the Davis energy crisis) and vehicle emmissions standards, along with their support for more expensive annual vehicle inspections, will all combine into one large popular backlash against them in California.

One can look at the outrage over license fees in Virginia to see just how touchy this subject can become.

This is the sleeper issue of 2002. It is an issue that litterally affects, personally, millions of Californians.

And the Democrats are on the wrong side of it.

This is because the Democrats are beholden to the radical greens in their midst. Forget jobs. Forget transportation. Forget unions. Forget the economy. For Democrats, what matters over everything (including putting food on your table every night) is that "the environment" be protected (even if humans pay the price with their lives).

[Tall_Texan]

Democrat nirvana is to see our streets look like Beijing - the ruling class (read: them) get to ride in automobiles while the peasants (read: us) pedal bicycles (very healthy and environmentally friendly but a real nuisance when it rains). Your Socialist-Democrat party at work, my friends. No reason to be surprised.

[weegee]

Lesee-here-now: California was facing energy "shortages" and they want to run rechargeable cars on electricity.

Just where do they expect this power to come from and what makes them so sure that the generation of that energy source won't cause pollution (nuclear waste, smoke from coal, etc.).

[Carry_Okie]

"Republicans are declaring war on the truth," McLean said. "They've got proposals... that would eliminate funding to protect clean air, water and land... the (AB1493) bill ... (is) a bill helping to keep air quality good in California."

Mr. Orwell, we have a winner.

[spectre]

Hopefully, the always loyal Demo voting Soccer Moms/Dads will take note when their next SUV/Van costs $3500 more.

I have two cousins in New England that love these vehicles but always vote democrat.

They can't seem to make the connection that they are always voting AGAINST their own lifestyle.

[monkeyshine]

Bay Area motorists will see the Golden Gate Bridge toll jump from $3 to $5

Sorry for all you bay area commuters... but HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

That'll teach you. You can always drive down to the Bay Bridge, but it'll cost you more in gas.

[KevinDavis]

Meanwhile while the Democrats pass these laws they will get in their limos and expect us Peasants to follow with no question.
One of many reasons why I won't move into California. A bunch of aholes ruining the state.

[goldstategop]

GrayDown and the Rats are on a jihad against the California motorist and the Golden State lifestyle. Film at 11.

[CyberAnt]

"war on drivers"

Hmmmm? Seems just about equal to the war on auto makers. When they start charging 3500-5000 more for a vehicle, it will surely cut into their sales.

Has the state calculated the loss of state revenues from the sales tax on autos??

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

GOOD to hear! So true! War on drivers and on property owners and on taxpayers - TAKE IT TO THEM, REPUBS!

[medved]

In an awful lot of places, air pollution has gotten to be a sort of a 90/10 thing with 10% of the cars producing 90% of the pollution. A big part of the problem is having new cars cost $10,000 and up. A partial solution MIGHT be, assuming they still make type IV volkswagons in Mexico, to simply allow somebody who turns in an older car to buy one of those, which would have to cost way under what new cars sold in the states go for, and not worry about emissions.

[cinFLA]

If only CA would price control houses so they wouldn't have to commute 50 miles to SF!

[timestax]

bump