There is a lot of research on preschool.  All of these show that the program's return more than their costs and the Perry and Chicago studies refer specifically to preschool for 3-4 year olds and show that the public gets more than its money back.

Also, Clive Belfield has done studies for several states showing that states save substantial funds in the school years alone.

1. General Services is in the process of finishing a memo to employees aimed at getting employee driver behavior/and department practices to think and act in a more fuel conscious manner.

2. We have purchased more hybrid vehicles and will continue to do so 3. The City Manager has established this week a number of staff led Process Improvement Committees. One of these is Fleet and in part is aimed at improving fuel economy. Looking at biodiesel will be among their tasks, as will looking at setting new criteria or thresholds when purchasing new vehicles (# of cylinders, MPG, hybrid, de-SUVing where possible, more standardization, etc). Some of these changes when proposed will be short term and have immediate benefits and some will be long term in implementation as vehicles useful life ends and replacement is warranted 4. We have a fund balance designation in the approved FY06 budget for fuel cost increases