Ramping up, July 1

Hey, where's my earpiece?

Laws requiring hands-free cellphone use went into effect in California and Washington state today -- just in case you haven't heard. Here's links to my recent posts on it. And my prediction: lots of distracted driving this week from motorists trying to figure out how to work their hands-free devices.

San Gabriel Valley legislators meet

Elected officials are having breakfast today in Sacramento and there will likely be lots of talk about the proposed half-cent sales tax in November and whether it's something the San Gabe Valley wants to support after the MTA board last week decided not to fork over $80 million for a Gold line extension.

Foothill Transit board strikes back

They voted 4 to 1 last Friday against a resolution supporting the congestion pricing plan for the 10 and 210 freeways -- even though Foothill Transit would presumably get some nice new buses from the feds as part of a $213-million grant. Felicia Friesema, spokeswoman for Foothill Transit, e-mails: "The thrust of the vote rested on the board's disappointment with the Metro board not taking action on placing the Gold Line Extension on the priority list in the Long Range Transportation Plan as a possible congestion relief alternative for San Gabriel Valley residents.  Because of this they opted not to take a position for the present."

Tesla coming to California

The electric-vehicle manufacturer held a presser yesterday with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to announce they plan to build a new plant in California and they are also going to build an electric-powered sedan with a 225-mile range -- that will cost only $60,000. Interesting, but would be more interesting if Tesla had actually managed to bring an electric car to market yet.

--Steve Hymon