Schwarzenegger Signs Anti-Sprawl Law, Vetos Container Fees

Yesterday was a big day in Sacramento as many important pieces of legislation required action by Governor Schwarzenegger or would expire even though they were passed by both branches of the state legislature.  The result?  The Governor signed legislation that links sprawl to climate change but also vetoed legislation that would have placed a fee on all containers entering and leaving the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The Governor surprised some observers when he signed S.B. 375, legislation that reqards communities that follow smart growth principals when planning and punnshes those that embrace sprawling growth patterns.  As recently as last Friday, the Governor signaled that he was, at best, undecided about the legislation.  However, leading environmentalists praised the Governor after the bill was signed:

“Land use is . . . the hardest part of the climate equation,” said
Thomas Adams, president of the California League of Conservation
Voters. “This signature sends a crucial message from Arnold to sprawl:
‘Suck it up.’ “

However, all of the news out of the Governor’s office.  Following the advice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation that would have collected more than $60 for each 40-foot container that
moved through the ports of Los Angeles, and Long Beach.  The fee would raise over $400 million annually which would go towards traffic relief, freight rail improvements, and cleaner burning engines.