Statement by Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. on State Legislation to Prohibit Fees on Disposable Bags

Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.

May 17, 2016

“In light of the recent New York City Council vote to impose a five cent fee on disposable plastic bags in grocery and other stores, I support proposed Senate legislation (S.7336) that would prohibit these kinds of fees on merchandise bags statewide. I definitely believe that we need to find a reasonable way to reduce the use of plastic bags – which we often find hanging in trees, clogging our street drains and otherwise harming our environment.

“However, raising fees on families and individuals who take home their goods in store-supplied plastic bags and containers and simultaneously burdening local businesses isn’t the way to go about it. With some effort, government can find a way to protect our environment from plastic bags without unnecessarily increasing costs for people on household budgets. We don’t need a bag tax.”  

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