PolitiCal Roundup: Gay issue debated, questions about lawmakers’ cars

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The contributions of gay Americans would have to be included in school textbooks under the terms of a bill under consideration by the state Legislature.

Advocates and journalists raise questions about the flow of federal dollars to Tesla Motors bankroller Steve Westly. Defenders of the former EBay executive and Democratic state controller say there is a difference between political activism and influence peddling and that Westly competed fairly for his grants and loans.

Lawmakers in Sacramento get state cars, although they pay a share of the lease. Supporters say it’s cheaper than paying mileage, but the cars are in budget-cutters’ sites nonetheless.