Posted on 12/20/2007 12:02:28 PM PST by NormsRevenge
LONG BEACH - Days after port authorities approved a $35 environmental fee on containers shipped through Southern California's harbors, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Wednesday that he would support a similar fee at the state level.
Schwarzenegger, who previously said container fees would hurt the economy, now considers them an option to help fund trade-related infrastructure and environmental programs.
"I think fees are good; we just have to work it out with the various stakeholders," Schwarzenegger said during a visit with U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson Jr.
"It's extremely important that we find a way to create economic development and increase trade, but at the same time take care of our environment."
The governor's policy shift comes as California grapples with an ailing goods-movement infrastructure and growing health problems linked to diesel pollution.
The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, which together handle more than 40 percent of the nation's international trade, are listed by air quality regulators as the largest fixed source of air pollution in California.
After vetoing a proposed $30 container fee in 2006, the governor in September withheld his signature from a similar bill, saying he would work during the legislative off-season to develop a program that allows private industry to help fund infrastructure repairs.
Since then, Schwarzenegger has worked with state Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, to drum up support for the bill, which would assess a $30 fee on every container handled at the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles and Oakland.
The estimated $500 million generated annually would be spent on infrastructure projects such as rail improvements and programs that reduce the health impact of air pollution caused by the transportation industry.
Health studies link diesel pollution from trains, trucks and freight ships to increased asthma, cancer and heart disease rates.
I’ll bet the folks over at Hutchison Port Holdings at Lazaro Cardenas are rubbing their hands with glee.
No doubt about it, but then that was the idea all long IMO.
I demand another round of apologies from the "but he can win" FreeRepublic chorus.
I think fees are good too. How 'bout one for having to sit through Last Action Hero or End of Days years ago. The man gets more like his uncle-in-law every year.
It won’t be long until Mexico is the import place. Keep adding taxes and the time will be quick.
It never fails to amaze me that when something makes billions for the economy (vs not having that business in their state at all), they tax it to death. (like land use fees).
Let the Taxing games begin, ITS CRISIS IN GOVERNMENT TIME.
TIME FOR ANOTHER RECALL.
You might be correct. All that talk about environmental pollution should lead one to believe that there are those who want to shut the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles down altogether (if maybe not Arnold).
Fixed.
TIME FOR ANOTHER RECALL
My sentiments exactly!
They’re probably not crying in Seattle or Tacoma either.
Auhnold needs money and thinks everyone should pay for his welfare state.
There is this really nice deep water port in Mexico that they will start using.
Seconded!
Come on people. We know you're hanging out there on the Rudy threads.
Feees on outbound containers might be ruled as an unconstitutional export tariff.
Sounds like KCS stock should be a ‘buy’ on this news.
Ahunld, Ahnuld, Ahnuld.
Vy shtop at dat fee??
Vy not raise it to dree or ten times dat amount?
Den Kalipornia und Hollyveird vould REALLY suffer!!!
Ahnuld, haff a GREAT Hahleeday!! Hope it iss like “Jingles all the way” Giff my regardz to Morticia - your wife.
“Environmental” fee probably means “Pay us for having to put up with the damned things” fee. In every port city in the country there are tens of thousands of empty shipping containers piling up. It makes no sense from a cost-effectiveness standpoint to return empty containers, and the U.S. doesn’t export enough to fill up more than a fraction of them. I remember reading something about plans to recycle them as housing material.
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