Date: Wednesday, Octoeber 1, 2008 Re:  AgTC: Lowenthal Bill Defeated Ag Input Effective October 1, 2008 Received the below from Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) We just got news that Governor Schwarzenegger has vetoed the by-now famous Lowenthal Bill, which would have imposed a fee of $30/TEU or $60/FEU, on every container moving through the Ports of LA and Long Beach (with the special exception for Port of Oakland, as long as it collects its new $12.50/TEU and $25/FEU fee). The Governor cited a number of reasons for vetoing the bill: The specific infrastructure projects to be funded were never specifically set forth. Insufficient statewide coordination and oversight. The need to spread funding beyond the Port area to California 's central valley. The impact during these current economic times of yet another fee on top of all the other fees that have recently been imposed by the Ports. We are told that several hundred letters from concerned shippers, primarily from agriculture exporters, were received by the Governor. To all of the AgTC members who wrote the Governor, your efforts paid off! We have plenty of additional challenges, but it's nice to dodge a bullet once in awhile. Thank you for your efforts.