MA's state Senate approved the proposed plastic bag ban, bringing the harmful policy one step closer to becoming law.
The proposed ban on plastic bags in Massachusetts is moving closer to reality after being approved by the state’s Senate.
If passed, not only will plastic shopping bags be banned, but small business consumers would be forced to pay ten cents per bag for paper bags when checking out. Half of that fee would go to local jurisdictions in order to fund plastic bag enforcement efforts.
“If the state Senate wants to ensure Massachusetts is affordable for small businesses and working families, enacting a plastic bag ban with a new bag tax is not the answer,” said NFIB’s Massachusetts State Director Christopher Carlozzi. “Most consumers already re-use shopping bags to line garbage cans, pack their lunches, or dispose of animal waste. The Senate should instead focus their efforts on promoting and educating the public on plastic bag recycling programs rather than a ban.”
The ban would increase costs for consumers shopping at local stores, harming the small business community.NFIB has been hard at work lobbying against the proposed ban since the proposal’s inception.