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Fare Fight

About $8 million per year is paid by cruise lines to Juneau, Alaska, in passenger fees. As a popular stopping point for ships, the influx of tourists has a big impact on the city, which only has about 32,000 full-time residents scattered across 3,255 sq mi (8,430.4 sq km). Cruise Lines International, the industry’s trade organization, is unhappy: they’re suing the city, demanding it stop “the assessment, collection and improper use” of the fees. The city has its own legal team, but deputy city manager Mila Cosgrove says inhouse counsel would be overwhelmed by such a lawsuit, so the city is hiring outside counsel to fight it. And how are they going to pay for that? The city is using money from the fund created by the cruise line passenger fees. (RC/KTOO Juneau) ...Which may be the first time city officials smiled while paying for counsel.