Capitol Mall employees are responding this summer to the Governor's Commuter Challenge by reducing their group carbon footprint by about 200,000 pounds and saving almost $31,000 in gas dollars as they carpool, bike, walk, vanpool and use transit to get to work.

"I love not driving to work," states Andrew Needham, a Secretary of State employee who uses his free Salem-Keizer transit pass benefit. A new Capitol Mall carpooler says, "The inconveniences I was so worried about are almost nonexistent. I'm sure we'll continue carpooling after the Challenge is over."

The Governor, who has walked and biked to work at times himself over the summer, states that global warming calls for changes to reduce carbon emissions, including lifestyle and commuting changes. Many state employees seem to agree with him, if their response to the Challenge is any indication.