We approved Bill 8-11 that will create a five-cent charge on each paper or plastic bag provided by a retail establishment to a customer at point of sale, pickup or delivery. The bill is intended to inspire consumers to use more reusable bags, which proponents say could lead to fewer bags littering the environment. I opposed the legislation.
The tax will not apply to bags provided by a pharmacy containing prescription drugs; a newspaper bag or bag intended for initial use as a garbage, pet waste or yard waste; a bag provided at a seasonal event, such as a farmers market; or a paper bag that a restaurant gives a customer to take prepared food or drinks from the restaurant. The tax also will not apply if the bag is used to package a bulk item (such as small items at a food or hardware store) or to wrap perishable items (such as fresh or frozen food or flowers).
Retail establishments will retain one-cent of each five-cent tax to cover administration fees of collection. The establishment would be required to indicate on a transaction receipt the number of bags provided.
The law will take effect January 1, 2012.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Council Approves Bag Tax
Posted by
Councilmember Nancy Floreen
Labels:
bag tax
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3 comments:
Thank you Nancy for standing up even when standing alone. You are right, this tax is ridiculous and merely continues to burden the pocketbooks of our citizens in an ever failing economy. When is Montgomery County going to become fisically responsible and start cutting at the top where it is most needed and begin to get rid of all the "hand out programs"? God help us all!
I'm sorry I didn't pay attention sooner, and communicate my opinion to my elected officials. I am opposed to the bag tax. It has been shown that the reusable bags can contain the presence of e-coli and other diseases, and now we are supposed to put our groceries in them. If we shop in a department store, we also must bring our bags. If we don't want to put clothing purchases in the same bags as the groceries, then we will have to keep them separate. This law puts an unfair burden and expense on taxpayers.
So true, so true!
This bag tax is a bag burden!
The cost of the bags should be incurred by the retailer selling the product you're buying (they add it to the price of the good regardless!)!!
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