They have become a time-honored perk at Los Angeles City Hall -- hundreds of city-issued cars doled out to elected leaders and their top deputies.
Now Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants to eliminate most of the 229 vehicles in the city's executive motor pool, as well as cars from other fleets, to help close a $155-million shortfall.
But some in City Hall say that stripping away these "home garage" cars, most of which are fuel-efficient, would only undermine Villaraigosa's promise to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and turn Los Angeles into the "greenest and cleanest big city in America."
Those who stand to lose their Toyota Priuses and Honda Civics would instead have to rely on personal cars, many of them gas-guzzling SUVs, minivans and sedans.
Several City Council members last week labeled Villaraigosa's plan shortsighted, arguing that any savings might be offset by reimbursements to workers for racking up mileage on the job and the costs of increased pollution. Under the mayor's proposal, which requires City Council approval, the 18 elected city leaders would be allowed to keep their city-issued wheels.
"We have made great strides in diversifying the fleet to improve our air quality," said Councilwoman Jan Perry, who chairs the council's Energy and Environment Committee and drives a city-issued 2006 Honda Accord hybrid. "It would be a dereliction of our duties to take a step back."
Villaraigosa argues that leaders must set an example as they roll out budget-tightening proposals that would put a financial squeeze on city operations and thousands of workers. He is asking city employees, except those in public safety, to voluntary take five unpaid furlough days by July 1.
His office said that any increase in carbon dioxide emissions would be countered by other budget proposals, including one to sell 512 additional vehicles in the city's vast automotive fleet and others to reduce the city government's fuel consumption to 1998 levels and its energy use by 10%.
The money-saving measures are part of a broader strategy by Villaraigosa to free up money for his top priority -- expanding the Los Angeles Police Department.
"Who in the real world gets this type of privilege, this perk?" asked Deputy Mayor Sean Clegg, who himself declined to drive a city car. "To balance our budget and maintain our core commitment to public safety, we're going to have to tip over some sacred cows. I wouldn't want to be a council person who voted to cut cops and keep cars."
