E-mail iconE-mail updates
Sign up to learn when new fact sheets are available.
  

Government Affairs

The Port of Tacoma works closely with elected officials at the local, state and federal government to fulfill its mission to create jobs and enhance the trade economy in Pierce County and Washington state.

Port commissioners and staff regularly discuss issues related to international trade with elected officials. Topics include freight mobility projects, transportation infrastructure funding, environmental policies, port security and land use, as well as economic policies that improve port competitiveness and make Washington state a good place to do business. The Port partners with several economic development-oriented organizations to jointly advocate for these issues.

Issue papers and fact sheets

Federal legislation and issues impacting the Port

2012 federal legislative agendaThe Port's priorities include the Harbor Maintenance Tax, Surface Transportation re-authorization, radiation detection systems for containerized cargo and WRDA-214.
Surface transportation reauthorizationThe Port supports a truly strategic freight mobility program that would serve the economic needs of our country by making investment decisions that optimize freight mobility, especially at locations of national significance, unconstrained by mode or political jurisdiction.
Harbor Maintenance TaxThe Port supports efforts to close the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) loophole that unfairly creates a competitive advantage for Canadian ports on the Pacific coast.
Radiation detection systems for containerized cargo The Port supports the expedited deployment by Customs and Border Patrol of fixed radiation detection portals capable of scanning a wide variety of cargo handling equipment, including straddle carriers.
Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)The Port supports the permanent extension of section 214 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), allowing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to accept funds contributed by non-federal public entities to expedite the processing of permits.

State legislation and issues impacting the Port

2012 state legislative agendaThe Port's priorities include preserving a competitive climate for U.S. ports, completing State Route 167, protecting allocated toxic cleanup funds, reducing particulate air emissions, as well as issues related to habitat stewardship services and the public records act.
Toxics cleanup fundsThe Port will work to protect the $63.8 million of Local Toxics Account funds allocated for Remedial Action Grants to clean up contaminated properties during the 2011-2013 biennium.
SR-167 completionThe Port supports completing State Route 167 by adding the remaining six miles between Puyallup (SR-161) and Tacoma (SR-509) originally envisioned in the highway's design 30 years ago.
Air qualityThe Port supports efforts by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to reduce particulate air emissions from wood smoke.
Habitat stewardship servicesThe Port supports legislation clarifying the authority of public ports to contract with citizen's groups for stewardship services at habitat and recreational sites, similar to the authority currently granted to cities, counties, school districts and park districts.

For more information, contact: