California's Best Response to Al Gore's Nobel Prize: Assembly Bill 493, the Clean Car Rebate Bill

Read Ruskin's news release about AB 493 for more information.

Here's a fact sheet about AB 493, from the Union of Concerned Scientists, the leading sponsors of the legislation.

Car dealers, who prefer to have customers spend their dollars on high-profit, but virtually worthless items like "theft etch" and unusable service contracts, rather than less-profitable improved fuel systems, are out to kill the bill. GM, Ford, and Chrysler, whose market share continues to dwindle, while their rivals can't keep up with demand for Toyota Priuses and Honda Fits, is also aggressively opposing AB 493.

How can you help gain passage of AB 493?

Call the following crucial "swing" vote lawmakers, and let them know you are counting on them to stand up to the auto industry Neanderthals and pass AB 493. (Note: they are all Democrats. All but a handful of Democratic lawmakers in Sacramento already support AB 493. But no Republican will vote for it- they are way too beholden to auto and oil interests to take a stand for the environment, and they fear being replaced in their next primary elections if they do the right thing.) The next vote is crucial, and is scheduled for January, 2008.

Here are the lawmakers who still haven't heard from enough of us to get the message yet:
CA Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (Los Angeles, Huntington Park), phone: 916-319-2046

Assemblymember Mike Davis (Los Angeles), phone: 916-319-2048

Assemblymember Hector De La Torre (Bell, Bellflower, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Cudahy, Downey, Linwood, South Gate), phone: 916-319-2050

Assemblymember Mervin Dymally (Compton, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Paramount), phone: 916-319-2052

Assemblymember Ed Hernandez (Azusa, Baldwin Park, Covina, Industry, Irwindale, La Puente, Valinda, West Covina), phone: 916-319-2057

Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes (North Hollywood, Pacoima, Panorama City, San Fernando, Sun Valley, Sylmar), phone: 916-319-2039

Assemblymember Tony Mendoza (Artesia, Buena Park, Cerritos, Hawiian Gardens, Lakewood, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, Whittier), phone: 916-319-2056

Please call your legislators and tell them to support AB 493!

Rosemary Shahan, President of Consumers for Auto Reliability and is a nationally renowned consumer advocate who has won many victories for car buyers. She is best known for initiating California’s landmark auto “lemon law” and fighting for the installation of air bags in all cars. She has repeatedly testified before Congress on auto safety issues. She has received many prestigious awards from consumer groups in recognition for her work and is widely quoted by national media as an expert on auto issues. Shahan serves on numerous progressive boards, including the Consumer Federation of California, Consumer Federation of America, and is also a member of the Board of Speak Out California where this article first appeared.