"This tax makes the situation worse," Palin wrote. "Similarly, the tax may harm California by driving port business away from its ports."
The letter concludes by requesting that "due consideration be given to our state and that you not sign Senate Bill 974."
Schwarzenegger has not yet responded to Palin's letter, nor has he made a decision about whether to sign or veto the legislation, said spokeswoman Rachel Cameron.
"The governor will take it into consideration," she said of Palin's letter.
But she said Schwarzenegger has warned that he will not sign any bills until the state's overdue budget is approved by the Legislature.
"Right now the governor's top priority is getting a responsible budget approved," Cameron said.
Schwarzenegger has had concerns about the port fee and threatened to veto it last year unless Lowenthal met with retail and shipping representatives to address their complaints that it will harm business.
Lowenthal said he offered to amend the bill this year to address Palin's concerns by cutting the fee in half for containers loaded from one ship to another without leaving California ports by rail or truck.
Schwarzenegger's staff did not agree to the proposed change, the senator said.
On Thursday, with the Palin letter hitting the Internet, Lowenthal invited the Alaskan governor to travel to the Southern California ports to see first-hand why the fee is needed.
"We are losing about 3,400 Californians each year because of pollution," Lowenthal said. "No matter what Gov. Palin would like to see happen, the impact is killing Californians. I don't think Gov. Palin truly understands the impacts going on here."
John Casey, a spokesman for Lowenthal, added: "Maybe Sarah Palin doesn't care about Californians."
Palin's office in Juneau did not return calls late Thursday seeking comment.
Schwarzenegger, a Republican, has endorsed McCain for president, but Lowenthal said he hopes that politics will not play a role in the decision on the legislation.
"I'm hoping the governor sees above it. He says he is an independent. This will be a test," Lowenthal said.
Cameron denied that the governor's support for McCain will play a role.
"The governor is committed to doing what's best for Californians," Cameron said.
--
patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com
