DearBoard Member:
The Integrated Waste ManagementAuthority’s (IWMA) proposed ordinance on a county-wide plastic and paper bagban would limit shoppers’ choices and impose higher costs on consumers.Therefore, on behalf of the National Taxpayer Union’s 53,000 members in California,many of whom live and work San Luis Obispo County, I urge you to protectconsumer choice and reject the proposal.
Everygovernment can and should respect the ability of its citizens to make routinepersonal decisions for themselves; dictating such choices through heavy-handedbans and higher taxes on products deemed undesirable runs counter to thissensible principle. Indeed,the ban and tax scheme would actually hit consumers twice. Once, at thepoint-of-purchase when shoppers will now be charged $.05 per paper bag, or bypaying varying costs for a more expensive reusable bag. Second, at home, whenresidents will be paying for products to replace needs currently met by reusedplastic grocery bags. These costs will be borne across the economic spectrumand will have real, negative consequences for San Luis Obispo families.
By banning plastic bags and imposing a $.05per bag tax on their likely replacement, the county is heaping a new $2.5million burden on local shoppers. Regardless of where you stand on the otherissues, our members hope you will carefully consider if you should levy a new$2.5 million tax on all county residents during the middle of a recession.
Consumerschoose plastic bags largely because of their lifetime versatility. Nine out of10 Americans reportreusing plastic bags for everyday needs such as trashcan liners, gym bags, orcleaning up after pets. Not only will shoppers feel the pinch by being forcedto buy more expensive bags, or pay a $.05 cent tax per paper bag, they willalso face much higher costs at home as they look for replacement products tomeet their needs.
Finally,in July, the California Supreme Court ruled larger government bodies (i.e.,counties and large cities) are potentially subject to conducting EnvironmentalImpact Reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act when enactingplastic bag bans. The IWMA ordinance contains no provision for an EIR, and thuswould likely be subject to costly litigation.
While popular amongst the politicalelite, grocery bag bans and taxes have dubious value as sound policies. San Luis Obispo County’s IWMA should look toward alternatives suchas voluntary education programs, or encourage more businesses to offerincentives for plastic bag recycling. A draconian ban may not have the desired environmental benefit, could open up the county topotential litigation, and will raise taxes on struggling families.
Sincerely,
Brent MeadState Government AffairsManager