Politics & Government
Prince George's Bag Tax Falters in General Assembly
General Assembly puts brakes on proposed 5-cent plastic bag tax.
A push by state and local officials in Prince George’s County to institute a grocery bag tax has come to a halt in the Maryland General Assembly.
The Gazette reports that on Wednesday the General Assembly County Affairs Subcommittee voted to put the proposal back on the shelf. The legislation would have required retailers to add a 5-cent tax to plastic bags.
Opponents of the legislation said that voters overwhelming opposed the tax.
Find out what's happening in Laurelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Del. Carolyn Howard (D-Dist. 24) of Mitchellville, who voted against the legislation, said that she received 900 responses against the tax from constituents after sending out a letter.
The vote comes after the Prince George’s County Council endorsed the bag-tax earlier this week in legislation proposed by Mary A. Lehman (D-Dist. 1) of Laurel.
Find out what's happening in Laurelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Council members said the bill would clean roadways and better protect waterways.
“I believe really strongly that this is split evenly between pro-environment and pro-business,” said Councilwoman Mary Lehman (D-Dist. 1) of Laurel in The Gazette.
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