(The Center Square) – Plastic bags could eventually be a thing of the past in some Michigan communities.
A pair of Democratic lawmakers recently introduced a bill that would again allow communities to ban the popular shopping bags. The two say it’s also an effort to return local control to local governments.
“It is silly not to allow local governments to have control over their own regulations,” said Rep. Morgan Foreman, D-Pittsfield Township. “Especially when it comes to environmental pollution, communities should have the opportunity to do their part and make our world less polluted. I’m grateful to be able to act so that the cities I represent have the ability to do what is right for them. Plastics are polluting our environment – we should be taking action at all levels to protect our lands and our Great Lakes.”
Foreman and Sen. Sue Shink, D-Northfield Township, said a report from the Alliance for Great Lakes showed 83% of the litter collected at the group’s cleanups was either partly or entirely plastic.
Former Republican Gov. Rick Snyder signed a law in 2016 that stops the state’s local government from imposing a ban or tax on plastic bags after Washtenaw County tried to add a 10-cent fee for plastic bag usage.
Before 2016, local governments were allowed to make decisions about one-time use plastics in their communities. My legislation gives back power to local communities to make their own decisions about how best to deal with plastics – especially bags – that are trashing our spaces,” Shink said. “When we return decision-making power to the people, then communities can do what is right for them.”
House Bill 4299 has been referred to the House Committee on Regulatory Reform. Senate Bill 195 is in the Senate Energy and Environment Committee.
