State politicians pair Earth-friendly legislation with hybrid cars

January 21, 2007

SACRAMENTO (AP) — 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 Assembly members 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 Nuñez, 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 Nuñez, 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 Nuñez suspects encouraged more lawmakers to make the switch.