The Washington Post reported today that “The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will unveil a bill Wednesday that aims for a 20 percent reduction in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by the year 2020” The House bill, authored by Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), would mandate cutting emissions 17 percent by 2020. Both measures would require an 83 percent reduction in greenhouse gases from the 2005 baseline by 2050.

Rash of Recent Texting-Related Crashes Prompts Legislation
The Buffalo News reported today that the Town of Amherst last Monday became the first Erie County municipality to pass a law that would prohibit drivers from composing, reading or sending a text message while behind the wheel. Violators face a $150 fine for each offense.