Free Republic

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Gary Locke and legislative Democrats proposed Wednesday that Washington adopt California's vehicle-emission standards, the toughest in the world. Locke, a two-term Democrat who leaves office in January, also announced a freeze on state government purchase of four-wheel-drive sports utility vehicles. The state motor pool will begin shifting to hybrid vehicles. The proposal to adopt California's auto standards, effective the 2009 model year, is the centerpiece of the lame-duck governor's package of bills to combat global warming.

The Evergreen Freedom Foundation has lodged an ethics complaint against Gov. Gary Locke, claiming he violated state law by asking private companies to help pay for the recent National Governors Association conference in Seattle. The foundation, a conservative think tank and self-appointed watchdog on state government and labor unions, on Friday asked the state Executive Ethics Board to investigate Locke's solicitation of donations from companies that have contracts to do business with the state. The complaint alleges that Locke violated a law that says "no state officer or state employee may use his or her position to secure special privileges...