No go.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is withholding support for a state bill that would impose a container fee in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach aimed at easing congestion and air pollution. The mayor feels the bill should be changed to help with the $1.5 billion bridge repairs at the port. The

bill by Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) is facing widespread opposition from retail, shipping and other business groups. A similar bill was approved by the Legislature last year but vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who said that it would harm businesses. The bill proposes a $60 fee on each loaded 40-foot container that moves through the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland. It would raise up to $394 million annually to reduce air pollution and improve the flow of cargo.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]