Round One in the California Legislature’s epic battle over a statewide plastic bag ban has gone to the bill’s opponents. The California Assembly rejected an effort to ban single-use plastic bags throughout the state after an hour-long debate.
Democratic Assemblyman Rob Bonta argued that the more than a hundred local ordinances have proven that plastic bag bans are good policy.
"We have seen the positive impacts in jurisdictions throughout the state of similar ordinances, and we’ve seen the behavior change in the way that this bill seeks to have it changed to protect our environment.”
But Republican Assemblyman Scott Wilk criticized the bill’s provision that would require grocers and retailers to charge at least 10 cents per paper bag.
“The fact of the matter is, the science doesn’t back it, and this is just a backdoor tax to hurt those that need our help the most,” Wilk said.
The measure failed 37-33, four votes shy of a majority. It can be brought back for one more try later this week.
