Newsom moves to ease port backlogs

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Wednesday directing multiple state agencies to help unclog a massive bottleneck at two prominent ports by tackling the shortage of truck drivers and container space needed to move cargo.

“California’s ports are critical to our local, state and national economies, and the state is taking action to support goods movement in the face of global disruptions,” Newsom (inset) said in a statement.

The governor asked the state agencies to identify priority freight routes for possible temporary exemption from vehicleweight limits to carry more goods.

He also asked for help identifying state, federal and private land for more short-term container storage and help creating more training for port workers and others in the supply chain.

Long-term, Newsom ordered the state Department of Finance to develop proposals to strengthen operations at the backlogged Los Angeles and Long Beach ports.

Newsom’s moves come as a supply-chain crisis threatens the timeliness of holiday gifts and everyday purchases.

The monthslong crisis has stemmed from several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and a shortage of truck drivers and railway workers to help deliver goods once they get off backlogged ships.

The order also came the same day as more than 150 House Republicans sent a letter to President Biden accusing him and his administration of pushing “radical policies” that are worsening the ongoing supply-chain crisis rather than focusing on solutions.

“We must address the global supply chain and ports crisis before Congress even considers additional social spending and taxation legislation,” the lawmakers wrote.