(Sept. 22, 2006) -- LBReport.com has learned that in the late afternoon of Sept. 20, representatives of Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA) including boardmember/executive committe member John Morris (Smooths Sports Grille) held a telephone conference call with staff in Governor Schwarzenegger's office, urging the Governor to sign SB 927 ($30 fee on cargo containers discharged at the Ports of LB/L.A. to fund air quality programs, rail cargo projects and port security).
That position is consistent with the voted policy of DLBA board in supporting the container fee legislation authored by State Senator Alan Lowenthal (D., LB-SP-PV). The legislation was also supported by the City of Long Beach via a 2005 voted action of the City Council.
The Governor's reps included a Deputy Chief of Staff and a senior legislative aide.
[LBReport.com wasn't present during the call itself but learned the gist of the discussion afterward. We're not reporting it here because it wasn't on the record, but our impression is that the call was polite but non-committal from the Governor's staff.]
When news of the Governor's veto broke today, Mr. Morris told LBReport.com, "It's so disappointing. This is not only a local sisue, it's a state, federal and really a global issue...and we're getting shafted."
Comments by LB Mayor Bob Foster, Senator Alan Lowenthal and others are posted in the stories linked below.
Related coverage:
Add'l Reaction To Gov. Schwarzegger's Veto Of SB 927 (Container Fee At Ports of LB/LA For Clean Air Programs, Rail Cargo Projects, Port Security)
LB Mayor Foster: "Veto Solves Nothing"
Coalition For Clean Air: "Governor Schwarzenegger Let California Down"
Gov. Schwarzegger Vetoes SB 927, Sen. Lowenthal's Container Fee Bill (For Clean Air Programs, Rail Cargo Projects, Port Security); Sen. Lowenthal Says It's "Not The End Of The Fight, Only The Beginning"
LB Mayor Foster, Sen. Lowenthal, Councilwoman/AQMD Boardmember Reyes Uranga, L.A. Councilwoman Hahn & Multiple Clean Air Advocates Tell Gov, Schwarzenegger: Sign SB 927 (Container Fee For Clean Air, Rail Projects, Port Security)
