CA Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed perhaps the most important air quality bill of the year just before the deadline to the dismay of the state's environmental and health community. Alaska Gov. Palin's letter asking for the veto may have played a role.
"A bill that would've raised as much as $300 million a year to fight air pollution around the ports of Oakland, Long Beach and Los Angeles was among Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's last-minute vetoes Tuesday.
Republican vice-presidential nominee and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had asked Schwarzenegger last month to veto this bill, fearing it would increase the cost of goods shipped through California ports to Alaska.
"I have to conclude it had something to do with it," Assemblyman Sandre Swanson, D-Alameda, said Wednesday of Palin's request.
SB974 would've imposed a fee of up to $30 per shipping container processed in the (three ports) with the revenue to be spent on relieving ground traffic and air pollution in communities around the ports. It was supported by environmental and health organizations, and opposed generally by retailers and manufacturers moving cargo through the ports."
From PCL press release:
"We are extremely disappointed that the Governor went back on his word and vetoed the best solution we have to the devastating pollution plaguing communities near the ports and other goods movement corridors," stated Tina Andolina, Legislative Director for the Planning and Conservation League.
Thanks to MTC-ABAG library
FULL STORY: Governor vetoed port air cleanup bill
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