Paper and plastic bags have caught the eye of local governments. When thrown in the trash they cost money to collect and take up space in landfills. Plastic bags are particularly bad for the environment; from using oil in its manufacturing to fouling the waterways and endangering wildlife. So you can see why taxing bags can be an attractive revenue source.
Washington DC passed a 5 cent per bag tax with funds to be used to clean up the Anacostia River. Citizen reaction: they brought their own bags.
My proposal - No Bag Tax! Instead, require merchants to give a 5 cent discount per bag to shoppers who supply their own bags. There are already merchants who, for good business reasons, give the discount.
The proposal's intent is to make Baltimore County a comfortable place to live where its government is sensitive to difficult economic times and does not impose taxes and fees on basic services and commodities.
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