Port Of Long Beach Set Another Cargo Record In May
The Port of Long Beach experienced its busiest May ever, handling a record 687,427 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containerized cargo, the port announced today. The port experienced a 6% increase in cargo traffic compared to May 2017. Exports increased nearly 20%, while imports increased 7.3% and the shipment of empty containers decreased 4.6%, according to the port. Year to date, the port is 14.6% ahead of last year in terms of overall cargo movement.
Long Beach Veterans Affairs Nursing Home Achieves 5-Star Rating
The nursing home at Long Beach’s Tibor Rubin Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center has received 5 stars in an annual performance rating, VA Long Beach Healthcare System announced today. “We are proud to see our scores reflect our commitment to our mission of caring for our veterans. We will take a moment celebrate, but soon after, we will we will reengage ourselves and continue to push to become the best health care system to be found in the country,” Walt Dannenberg, director of the VA Long Beach Healthcare System, stated. The announcement came after the extension of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs “unprecedented 18-month record of transparency disclosures” in making its annual nursing home ratings public, according to the statement.
City Auditor Issues Statement On Proposed Charter Amendments
Long Beach City Auditor Laura Doud released a statement today in support of five proposed Long Beach City Charter amendments. The amendments include extending term limits for the mayor and city councilmembers, consolidating the water and gas departments, better defining the authority of the city auditor, and the creation of ethics and independent redistricting commissions. “Mayor Robert Garcia and I agree that these changes are good government measures that will make our city more effective, efficient and ethical,” she stated. Two more hearings are required, scheduled for July 17 and August 7, before the city council can vote to put the amendments on the November ballot for voter approval. Comments on the amendments may be e-mailed directly to Doud at Laura.Doud@longbeach.gov.
Chamber Removes Bill From ‘Job Killer’ List
The California Chamber of Commerce announced today that Senate Bill (SB) 538 has been removed from the organization’s job killer list following amendments made on June 11. If passed, the bill would regulate hospital agreements with contracting agents, health care service plans and insurers, prohibiting them from including certain provisions. Prior to being amended, CalChamber claimed the bill would “unfairly and unlawfully discriminate against arbitration agreements by restricting the formation of antitrust arbitration agreements in hospital contracts, which would have led to costly litigation over preemption by the Federal Arbitration Act.” The bill is scheduled for a hearing before the Assembly Health Committee on June 19.
Learn Camera Basics Through Port Of Long Beach Photo Program
The Port of Long Beach is partnering with the Arts Council for Long Beach for its annual PHOTO Program, a free photography class open to all skill levels. Port photographers will teach the basics of using a camera and lead a shoot during a twilight cruise through the port complex. Participants’ work will be displayed at a gallery exhibition during Long Beach Arts Month in October. Due to high demand, only first-time participants are eligible for selection through a lottery, which is open on June 20 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Click here for more information.