I serve on the Environment and Energy Committee of the Board of Legislators, and for months we worked on legislation that would mandate that our Westchester County government purchase only high-mileage, hybrid, electric or alternative fuel vehicles. When the law faced some obstacles, I suggested that a small team of legislators meet directly with the County Executive’s staff to find a compromise. I became a member of the legislative negotiating team, and we did reach a compromise. The “Green Vehicles” law passed on 11/10/14 and was signed by County Executive Astorino on 11/17/14. I’m pleased the new law requires that County vehicles must have higher gas mileage and meet more stringent smog ratings. Westchester County maintains a fleet of about 1500 vehicles. In my speech on the floor in support of the law I mentioned, “We all came to this legislature to help protect the environment,” and the passage of this law will certainly make a difference for Westchester’s environment.