With the California state budget impasse hitting the two-month mark, legislators have agreed to delay a bill that would levy US$30 tax per TEU crossing the docks of Oakland, Long Beach and Los Angeles.
The container fee proposal has won the support and endorsement of the Port of Long Beach, Long Beach City Council and a coalition of local environmental groups, reports The Long Beach Press Telegram.
The bill seeks to raise $500 million annually to improve the air quality in port areas and finance infrastructure upgrades to speed up the flow of goods across the state.
But with Sacramento legislators arguing over the budget, the time to vote on such bills as SB (Senate Bill) 974 has been shortened. Lawmakers are required to vote on the container fee bill by September 15.
Senator Lowenthal remains cautious about getting the bill through despite the legislative congestion.
The container fee proposal has won the support and endorsement of the Port of Long Beach, Long Beach City Council and a coalition of local environmental groups, reports The Long Beach Press Telegram.
The bill seeks to raise $500 million annually to improve the air quality in port areas and finance infrastructure upgrades to speed up the flow of goods across the state.
But with Sacramento legislators arguing over the budget, the time to vote on such bills as SB (Senate Bill) 974 has been shortened. Lawmakers are required to vote on the container fee bill by September 15.
Senator Lowenthal remains cautious about getting the bill through despite the legislative congestion.