TITLE
Recommendation to direct City Manager, or his designee, to communicate the City's support for House Resolution 5101 (CA-Hahn).
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach is home to the second largest port complex in the United States. The economic benefits gained through the combined Port of Long Beach/Los Angeles have supported areas of job creation and economic development.
The National Freight Network Trust Fund was introduced to Congress this year as a bill that would enhance national economic benefits, reduce congestion, and improve transportation safety. This legislation would create a dedicated funding source at no new cost to business or individuals by depositing 5% of all import duties collected by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and place these funds in the National Freight Network Trust Fund.
Currently, there are not enough funds to modernize or increase the efficiency of our freight network. For example, goods that leave the port complex take 48 hours to arrive in Chicago and take 30 hours to travel across the city. This inefficiency is unacceptable and means higher costs for consumers, more congestion, more pollution, and fewer jobs. The bottom line is that we need to fund our nation's freight network.
Therefore, it is in the best interest that the City Council support Congresswoman Hahn on this valuable and impressive piece of legislation.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal or job impact associated with this request.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ROBERTO URANGA
COUNCILMEMBER, SEVENTH DISTRICT
AL AUSTIN
COUNCILMAN, EIGHTH DISTRICT
REX RICHARDSON
COUNCILMEMBER, NINTH DISTRICT