State lawmakers in California are losing a sweet perk: They'll no longer get to drive cars provided almost entirely at taxpayer expense, with gas and maintenance costs covered. A state panel today stripped lawmakers of the privilege, reports the Los Angeles Times. Instead, they'll drive their own cars and get a $300 monthly allowance for transportation. The move is expected to save the state $2.3 million over five years, which is admittedly a baby step toward getting the $15 billion budget deficit under control.
"We're broke,'' said a member of the California Citizens Compensation Commission. "You have to cut money somewhere.'' (More California stories.)