San Pedro Bay Ports Break April Cargo Records
Due To Empty Container Shipments
The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles each broke their all-time records for container trade during the month of April. The Port of Long Beach (POLB) experienced its busiest April ever, moving a total of 628,121 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo. Imports increased by 1.8% compared to April 2018, exports decreased 12.7%, and the shipment of empty containers overseas for reloading increased 13.5%, according to POLB. The Port of Los Angeles (POLA) also experienced the busiest April in its history, handling 736,466 TEUs. Overall cargo volumes increased 4.4% compared to April 2018, largely due to the movement of empty containers. Import trade was flat and exports decreased by 5.6%, but the shipment of empty containers increased 22.5%, according to POLA. “Ocean carriers have been busy repositioning containers back to Asia after sending so many to North America late last year,” POLB Executive Director Mario Cordero said in a news release. Both ports experienced a rush of imports at the end of last year due to anticipated tariff increases. “With peak season approaching, we’re expecting imports to continue to grow, but it’s clear exports are suffering under the weight of tariffs,” Cordero stated.

Governor Releases Revised Budget
Gov. Gavin Newsom today released his revised state budget proposal, which prioritizes many of the items he campaigned on, including moving toward a single-payer health care system, housing affordability, homelessness, paid family leave, emergency preparedness and education. It also allocates $15 billion to build reserves, and pay down state debts and unfunded liabilities. Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell, who represents much of Long Beach, released a statement calling Newsom’s proposal “a balanced approach.” Click here for a summary of the revised budget proposal.

Carson Appoints New City Manager
Sharon Landers, former assistant city manager for the City of Irvine, has been hired as the city manager of Carson. During her 12-year tenure in Irvine, Landers oversaw several large-scale capital projects and worked to modernize city services, according to a press release. “I think Ms. Landers is the right fit for Carson, and I’m looking forward to the positive programs she is going to bring to the table,” Carson Mayor Albert Robles stated. The search for a new city manager began in July 2018 and ended with Landers’ appointment during a meeting of the Carson City Council on May 7. Landers holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a juris doctorate degree from Albany Law School, Union University in New York. “I am thrilled to be joining this city with so much economic development potential,” Landers said. “I am looking forward to working with the city council, its leadership, and businesses in moving the city forward.”