Democratic State Senator Alex Padilla says around 100 cities and counties around the state have already outlawed disposable plastic grocery bags and it’s time for a state-wide policy.
“The ultimate goal here is the reduction of the volume in the waste stream," says Padilla. "City after city, county after county, have demonstrated that through ordinances, this policy is effective. This policy is successful.”
Critics of the measure say it puts about 2,000 bag manufacturing jobs at risk and bag fee of at least 10 cents would be a windfall for grocers. Cathy Browne is with Crown Poly, a Los Angeles bag manufacturing company.
“This is an unprecedented money grab to have such a tax enacted on consumers where the money goes to the private sector,” says Browne.
Supporters say the legislation would set up a $2 million fund to help bag manufacturers retool to produce more environmentally friendly products.
The Assembly Appropriations Committee will take up the measure next.
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