The Cruise Lines International Association and its Alaska affiliate filed a lawsuit against Juneau’s government Tuesday, alleging the misuse of millions of dollars in cruise line passenger fees.
The plaintiffs are challenging the legality of cruise passenger taxes imposed on those who visit Alaska’s scenic capital city.
The lawsuit alleges the fees were used on projects that do not benefit cruise ship passengers, which violates federal restrictions on entry fee taxes.
Among the projects listed as non-beneficial is $10 million spent on a planned whale sculpture and park more than a mile from the cruise dock, as well as $22 million spent on government operating expenses.
It’s estimated that approximately 1 million cruise ship passengers visited Juneau in 2015.
Juneau’s mayor, who is listed in the lawsuit, didn’t immediately return requests for comment.
