Ventura County, California’s treasurer and tax collector says he’s going after multiple tenant businesses at the Port of Hueneme who collectively owe more than a million dollars in back property taxes.
Treasurer-tax collector Steve Hintz told the Ventura County Star newspaper this week that his office is targeting high value, multiple year delinquencies.
In all, Hintz said, about $1.3 million in back taxes is owed by businesses operating at the port. The largest such debt by far, according to Hintz, is owed by Longview, Wash.-based Brusco Tug & Barge Co., which is delinquent on about $842,800 in unsecured property taxes, which are assessed against the value of assets not secured to the land, such as boats and equipment.
Brusco Tug hasn’t paid the taxes since 2002, Hintz told the newspaper.
Owner Bo Brusco, however, has said there’s a long-standing disagreement with county officials regarding whether two of the company’s tugs are exempt from property taxes. He said an escrow account has been set up to cover the debt, pending an appeal regarding the tax status of the boats.
Under California law, users of port property in California are all subject to the same taxes. Some counties, however, differ on tax law interpretation. This typically results in differences in tax assessment amounts among ports throughout the state.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Port of LA Receives Climate Award From EPA
The Port of Los Angeles has been named an inaugural recipient of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Leadership Awards, which recognize businesses and organizations that show outstanding leadership in response to climate change.
The EPA recognized LA in its supply chain leadership category, pointing out the port’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, comprehensive air quality tracking, GHG inventories and emissions management.
The environmental agency particularly commended the port for its 2006 adoption of a green leasing policy that includes environmental requirements in tenant lease agreements, including air emission controls, water, stormwater and sediment quality assessments, and energy audits on terminal buildings to identify energy savings.
“This award is testament to the City of Los Angeles’ and the port’s ongoing efforts to effectively balance economic growth and sustainable business practices,” LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said.
The Climate Leadership Award was given in conjunction with the Association of Climate Change Officers, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and The Climate Registry. Other companies also receiving awards included IBM, Ford Motor Co. and Gap Inc.
“I commend The Port of Los Angeles on its exemplary leadership in cutting carbon pollution that harms our climate and threatens our health,” Gina McCarthy, an assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, said.
“The Port of Los Angeles and all of our Climate Leadership Award winners demonstrate that organizations who are taking action to mitigate climate change are also operating more efficiently, more innovatively and more competitively,” McCarthy said.
Port of Seattle to Sell Rail Segment
At a special meeting Feb. 28 in the city of Kirkland, the Port of Seattle Commission officially declared a 5.75-mile section of the Eastside Rail Corridor as surplus that is no longer needed for port district purposes, and unanimously voted to sell it to the city for $5 million.
The property is a portion of the Woodinville Subdivision rail corridor, which the port bought from Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroad in December 2009.
The portion approved for sale starts in the city of Bellevue near the Kirkland/Bellevue border, and extends north of Totem Lake to 132nd Avenue NE, also known as Slater Avenue, in the Kirkland city limits.
During the Feb. 28 meeting, the commission approved a first reading of the resolution authorizing the sale; a vote on a second and final reading is expected to take place in a few weeks.
Kirkland’s City Council approved a purchase agreement with the port in December 2011. The city says it intends to remove the existing rails and redevelop the line for use as a bicycling and pedestrian trail as well as a light transportation corridor.
Port commissioner John Creighton, who grew up in east King County and went to high school near the tracks in Bellevue, said during the special meeting that he was strongly in favor of the sale.
“I think we’ve achieved a great result. It is preserved for the public,” he said of the rail segment. “I remain committed to having this corridor remain for dual use.”
The transaction is expected to close by mid-April, according to the port.
The property is a portion of the Woodinville Subdivision rail corridor, which the port bought from Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroad in December 2009.
The portion approved for sale starts in the city of Bellevue near the Kirkland/Bellevue border, and extends north of Totem Lake to 132nd Avenue NE, also known as Slater Avenue, in the Kirkland city limits.
During the Feb. 28 meeting, the commission approved a first reading of the resolution authorizing the sale; a vote on a second and final reading is expected to take place in a few weeks.
Kirkland’s City Council approved a purchase agreement with the port in December 2011. The city says it intends to remove the existing rails and redevelop the line for use as a bicycling and pedestrian trail as well as a light transportation corridor.
Port commissioner John Creighton, who grew up in east King County and went to high school near the tracks in Bellevue, said during the special meeting that he was strongly in favor of the sale.
“I think we’ve achieved a great result. It is preserved for the public,” he said of the rail segment. “I remain committed to having this corridor remain for dual use.”
The transaction is expected to close by mid-April, according to the port.
California Senator Pitches Permanent Bunker Fuel Tax Exemption
California State Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) has introduced legislation to permanently eliminate a partial sales tax on the purchase of marine fuel in California.
Lowenthal’s bill, SB 1243, which was introduced Feb. 24, would make a current tax exemption permanent by eliminating the current expiration date of Jan. 1, 2014. Under the exemption, California doesn’t tax fuel that’s purchased within the state but consumed outside of its waters.
“No other maritime port in the US currently charges sales tax on marine fuel,” Lowenthal said in a statement announcing the bill. “This is about protecting California jobs and keeping California ports competitive.”
Bunker fuel, like most products sold in California, is subject to the state’s sales tax. But for competitive reasons, California currently offers a partial sales tax exemption on maritime fuel sales.
The current exemption, which requires renewals every five years, has expired twice before, in 1992 and 2002. According to the state Legislative Analyst, the previous temporary expirations caused marine fuel sales statewide to drop almost 50 percent.
“We’ve seen on two occasions that removing this sales tax exemption will cost our region,” Lowenthal said.
Part of the senator’s argument for eliminating the tax altogether is that it impacts the competitiveness of California ports. Fuel accounts for an estimated 30 percent to 45 percent of the cost of operating a vessel in international commerce.
The addition of the full sales tax on marine fuel can virtually eliminate a vessel’s operating profits, according to the senator, and de-incentivize the purchase of marine fuel in California.
Lowenthal also says eliminating the tax altogether would “protect hundreds of high-paying blue collar jobs” on waterfronts throughout the state.
As the legislation’s currently written, it would go into effect immediately if passed. The legislation could be a tough sell however, since it would require cash-strapped California to willingly give up potentially millions of dollars in sales tax revenue.
In January, Gov. Jerry Brown proposed a 2012-2013 state budget that cuts spending and raises taxes to help close a $9.2 billion budget gap.
Lowenthal’s bill, SB 1243, which was introduced Feb. 24, would make a current tax exemption permanent by eliminating the current expiration date of Jan. 1, 2014. Under the exemption, California doesn’t tax fuel that’s purchased within the state but consumed outside of its waters.
“No other maritime port in the US currently charges sales tax on marine fuel,” Lowenthal said in a statement announcing the bill. “This is about protecting California jobs and keeping California ports competitive.”
Bunker fuel, like most products sold in California, is subject to the state’s sales tax. But for competitive reasons, California currently offers a partial sales tax exemption on maritime fuel sales.
The current exemption, which requires renewals every five years, has expired twice before, in 1992 and 2002. According to the state Legislative Analyst, the previous temporary expirations caused marine fuel sales statewide to drop almost 50 percent.
“We’ve seen on two occasions that removing this sales tax exemption will cost our region,” Lowenthal said.
Part of the senator’s argument for eliminating the tax altogether is that it impacts the competitiveness of California ports. Fuel accounts for an estimated 30 percent to 45 percent of the cost of operating a vessel in international commerce.
The addition of the full sales tax on marine fuel can virtually eliminate a vessel’s operating profits, according to the senator, and de-incentivize the purchase of marine fuel in California.
Lowenthal also says eliminating the tax altogether would “protect hundreds of high-paying blue collar jobs” on waterfronts throughout the state.
As the legislation’s currently written, it would go into effect immediately if passed. The legislation could be a tough sell however, since it would require cash-strapped California to willingly give up potentially millions of dollars in sales tax revenue.
In January, Gov. Jerry Brown proposed a 2012-2013 state budget that cuts spending and raises taxes to help close a $9.2 billion budget gap.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
California Senator Pitches Permanent Bunker Fuel Tax Exemption
California State Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) has introduced legislation to permanently eliminate a partial sales tax on the purchase of marine fuel in California.
Lowenthal’s bill, SB 1243, which was introduced Feb. 24, would make a current tax exemption permanent by eliminating the current expiration date of Jan. 1, 2014. Under the exemption, California doesn’t tax fuel that’s purchased within the state but consumed outside of its waters.
“No other maritime port in the US currently charges sales tax on marine fuel,” Lowenthal said in a statement announcing the bill. “This is about protecting California jobs and keeping California ports competitive.”
Bunker fuel, like most products sold in California, is subject to the state’s sales tax. But for competitive reasons, California currently offers a partial sales tax exemption on maritime fuel sales.
The current exemption, which requires renewals every five years, has expired twice before, in 1992 and 2002. According to the state Legislative Analyst, the previous temporary expirations caused marine fuel sales statewide to drop almost 50 percent.
“We’ve seen on two occasions that removing this sales tax exemption will cost our region,” Lowenthal said.
Part of the senator’s argument for eliminating the tax altogether is that it impacts the competitiveness of California ports. Fuel accounts for an estimated 30 percent to 45 percent of the cost of operating a vessel in international commerce.
The addition of the full sales tax on marine fuel can virtually eliminate a vessel’s operating profits, according to the senator, and de-incentivize the purchase of marine fuel in California.
Lowenthal also says eliminating the tax altogether would “protect hundreds of high-paying blue collar jobs” on waterfronts throughout the state.
As the legislation’s currently written, it would go into effect immediately if passed. The legislation could be a tough sell however, since it would require cash-strapped California to willingly give up potentially millions of dollars in sales tax revenue.
In January, Gov. Jerry Brown proposed a 2012-2013 state budget that cuts spending and raises taxes to help close a $9.2 billion budget gap.
Lowenthal’s bill, SB 1243, which was introduced Feb. 24, would make a current tax exemption permanent by eliminating the current expiration date of Jan. 1, 2014. Under the exemption, California doesn’t tax fuel that’s purchased within the state but consumed outside of its waters.
“No other maritime port in the US currently charges sales tax on marine fuel,” Lowenthal said in a statement announcing the bill. “This is about protecting California jobs and keeping California ports competitive.”
Bunker fuel, like most products sold in California, is subject to the state’s sales tax. But for competitive reasons, California currently offers a partial sales tax exemption on maritime fuel sales.
The current exemption, which requires renewals every five years, has expired twice before, in 1992 and 2002. According to the state Legislative Analyst, the previous temporary expirations caused marine fuel sales statewide to drop almost 50 percent.
“We’ve seen on two occasions that removing this sales tax exemption will cost our region,” Lowenthal said.
Part of the senator’s argument for eliminating the tax altogether is that it impacts the competitiveness of California ports. Fuel accounts for an estimated 30 percent to 45 percent of the cost of operating a vessel in international commerce.
The addition of the full sales tax on marine fuel can virtually eliminate a vessel’s operating profits, according to the senator, and de-incentivize the purchase of marine fuel in California.
Lowenthal also says eliminating the tax altogether would “protect hundreds of high-paying blue collar jobs” on waterfronts throughout the state.
As the legislation’s currently written, it would go into effect immediately if passed. The legislation could be a tough sell however, since it would require cash-strapped California to willingly give up potentially millions of dollars in sales tax revenue.
In January, Gov. Jerry Brown proposed a 2012-2013 state budget that cuts spending and raises taxes to help close a $9.2 billion budget gap.
Port of Seattle to Sell Rail Segment
At a special meeting Feb. 28 in the city of Kirkland, the Port of Seattle Commission officially declared a 5.75-mile section of the Eastside Rail Corridor as surplus that is no longer needed for port district purposes, and unanimously voted to sell it to the city for $5 million.
The property is a portion of the Woodinville Subdivision rail corridor, which the port bought from Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroad in December 2009.
The portion approved for sale starts in the city of Bellevue near the Kirkland/Bellevue border, and extends north of Totem Lake to 132nd Avenue NE, also known as Slater Avenue, in the Kirkland city limits.
During the Feb. 28 meeting, the commission approved a first reading of the resolution authorizing the sale; a vote on a second and final reading is expected to take place in a few weeks.
Kirkland’s City Council approved a purchase agreement with the port in December 2011. The city says it intends to remove the existing rails and redevelop the line for use as a bicycling and pedestrian trail as well as a light transportation corridor.
Port commissioner John Creighton, who grew up in east King County and went to high school near the tracks in Bellevue, said during the special meeting that he was strongly in favor of the sale.
“I think we’ve achieved a great result. It is preserved for the public,” he said of the rail segment. “I remain committed to having this corridor remain for dual use.”
The transaction is expected to close by mid-April, according to the port.
The property is a portion of the Woodinville Subdivision rail corridor, which the port bought from Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroad in December 2009.
The portion approved for sale starts in the city of Bellevue near the Kirkland/Bellevue border, and extends north of Totem Lake to 132nd Avenue NE, also known as Slater Avenue, in the Kirkland city limits.
During the Feb. 28 meeting, the commission approved a first reading of the resolution authorizing the sale; a vote on a second and final reading is expected to take place in a few weeks.
Kirkland’s City Council approved a purchase agreement with the port in December 2011. The city says it intends to remove the existing rails and redevelop the line for use as a bicycling and pedestrian trail as well as a light transportation corridor.
Port commissioner John Creighton, who grew up in east King County and went to high school near the tracks in Bellevue, said during the special meeting that he was strongly in favor of the sale.
“I think we’ve achieved a great result. It is preserved for the public,” he said of the rail segment. “I remain committed to having this corridor remain for dual use.”
The transaction is expected to close by mid-April, according to the port.
Port of LA Receives Climate Award From EPA
The Port of Los Angeles has been named an inaugural recipient of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Leadership Awards, which recognize businesses and organizations that show outstanding leadership in response to climate change.
The EPA recognized LA in its supply chain leadership category, pointing out the port’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, comprehensive air quality tracking, GHG inventories and emissions management.
The environmental agency particularly commended the port for its 2006 adoption of a green leasing policy that includes environmental requirements in tenant lease agreements, including air emission controls, water, stormwater and sediment quality assessments, and energy audits on terminal buildings to identify energy savings.
“This award is testament to the City of Los Angeles’ and the port’s ongoing efforts to effectively balance economic growth and sustainable business practices,” LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said.
The Climate Leadership Award was given in conjunction with the Association of Climate Change Officers, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and The Climate Registry. Other companies also receiving awards included IBM, Ford Motor Co. and Gap Inc.
“I commend The Port of Los Angeles on its exemplary leadership in cutting carbon pollution that harms our climate and threatens our health,” Gina McCarthy, an assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, said.
“The Port of Los Angeles and all of our Climate Leadership Award winners demonstrate that organizations who are taking action to mitigate climate change are also operating more efficiently, more innovatively and more competitively,” McCarthy said.
The EPA recognized LA in its supply chain leadership category, pointing out the port’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, comprehensive air quality tracking, GHG inventories and emissions management.
The environmental agency particularly commended the port for its 2006 adoption of a green leasing policy that includes environmental requirements in tenant lease agreements, including air emission controls, water, stormwater and sediment quality assessments, and energy audits on terminal buildings to identify energy savings.
“This award is testament to the City of Los Angeles’ and the port’s ongoing efforts to effectively balance economic growth and sustainable business practices,” LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said.
The Climate Leadership Award was given in conjunction with the Association of Climate Change Officers, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and The Climate Registry. Other companies also receiving awards included IBM, Ford Motor Co. and Gap Inc.
“I commend The Port of Los Angeles on its exemplary leadership in cutting carbon pollution that harms our climate and threatens our health,” Gina McCarthy, an assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, said.
“The Port of Los Angeles and all of our Climate Leadership Award winners demonstrate that organizations who are taking action to mitigate climate change are also operating more efficiently, more innovatively and more competitively,” McCarthy said.
