I currently reside in District 71 which is represented by California Assemblyman Todd Spitzer. District 71 consists of Santa Ana, Mission Viejo, RSM, Orange, Tustin, Anaheim, Corona, and Norco, cities which have some of the most congested freeways in So Cal including the infamous 91 freeway. I recently found out that Assemblyman Spitzer voted against AB 2600 which extended the use of HOV lanes by hybrid vehicles. I emailed Mr. Spitzer regarding this issue and expressed my disagreement with his vote. He replied to my email simply saying that HOV lanes were designed to encourage people to ride together so as to aid in traffic congestion and this bill did nothing to achieve that. Well, it was my understanding that HOV lanes were set up to ease congestion as well as aid in the fight against air pollution. Something that he seems to ignore. For those of you that are represented by Assemblyman Spitzer, please email him and let him know your feelings. http://republican.assembly.ca.gov/m...dy=SendConcerns I realize that his vote is finished now but don't forget there will be other issues coming up in the future with respect to clean air vehicles. Also this is a major election year.
Hi David. I, of course, support the reduction of emissions, but also encourage carpooling. In fact, I carpool in my Prius. But in my projections, when the HOV lanes become clogged with single-occupant hybrids, the carpoolers cease to realize their "reward" for even attempting. Carpoolers have to repeatedly make an effort to earn the right to drive in the HOV lanes. Hybrid owners simply bought a ticket. We don't have HOV lanes in Chicagoland and I wish we did because I want to drive in them. Not because I bought a hybrid but because we carpool and because when others see the benefits of carpooling they are likely to carpool also. If, on the other hand, you are solely concerned with reducing emissions, you can achieve your goal by driving a hybrid at a slower rate in any lane other than the HOV lane.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Sep 22 2006, 12:32 PM) [snapback]323459[/snapback]</div> I believe the intent of allowing hybrids in the HOV lane is to encourage people to buy hybrids. I know that was a major factor in my recent decision to purchase a hybrid. Especially with the sharp decline in gas prices here (~ $2.55/gallon now). Don't get me wrong, the Prius is a great car and I love it, but had it not been for the federal tax credit and the HOV priveleges, I probably would not have been able to justify spending as much as I did on it. Oh, and in response to the original poster, the Governor signed AB 2600 into law yesterday.
What's your zip code? I don't live in his district and need a zip code to find him. My Assemblywoman Shirly Horton ® voted yes.
I suspected that mr. Todd Spitzer does NOT own a prius that's why he's jeolous and vote against ab2600. SELFISH...
An article came out just recently that SoCal has the worst air quality in the nation. It's a no-brainer that hybrids are allowed in the carpool lane, because (at least in this neck of the woods), the carpool lane is just as much (or more) about reducing emissions as it is about reducing congestion. We don't have many of those lanes in San Diego, but it REALLY helps when you're using the onramps!!!
