If it were up to the City Council’s Brooklyn delegation, yesterday’s passage to charge a five-cent fee on plastic bags would have never seen the light of day.
Under the measure, retailers will be able to keep the nickel a bag as the City does not have the authority to levy taxes. This is a function of state and federal government.
Additionally, there will be a major outreach to low-income communities, including giveaways of reusable bags as the measure is geared to reduce the number of plastic bags, which are not environmentally friendly.
The measure passed 28-20, but the Brooklyn lawmakers voted against it 8-6. Voting against the measure were Council Members Inez barron, Robert Cornegy Jr., Chaim Deutsch, Mathieu Eugene, Vincent Gentile, David Greenfield, Darlene Mealy and Mark Tryeger.
“I voted against this legislation because I believe that it’s a regressive tax and will create unnecessary financial burdens for the hardworking residents of my district and of New York City. Many of our neighbors are already struggling to put food on the table, and an additional charge to everyday shoppers is unwelcome and unfair,” said Deutsch.
“I believe in protecting our environment to make our City a healthier, more sustainable place to raise our families. But it is important not to do that disproportionately on the backs of low and middle-income New Yorkers,” Deutsch.
Deutsch also commended State Senator Simcha Felder (Borough Park, Flatbush, MIdwood) for proposing a State bill that could potentially overturn the legislation, and said he plans to testify against it at the State public hearing, scheduled for June 3.
Under the measure, retailers will be able to keep the nickel a bag as the City does not have the authority to levy taxes. This is a function of state and federal government.
Voting for the measure were City Council Members Brad Lander, Stephen Levin, Laurie Cumbo, Antonio Reynoso, Carlos Menchaca, and Rafael Espinal.
“New York City is taking a big step forward to get rid of the 9 billion plastic bags we waste each year. Intro 209-A, the Bring Your Own Bag bill, will eliminate tens of thousands of tons of solid waste, save the City millions, reduce truck trips in communities of color, and help clean up our trees, parks, playgrounds, streets, beaches, oceans,” said Lander, a prime sponsor of the bill.
“In city after city, a small fee on single-use carryout bags has been overwhelmingly successful in getting people to bring their own reusable bags when they shop — across lines of race, income, and age — and generated a 60% to 90% drop in plastic bag waste. New Yorkers will start bringing reusable bags to avoid the fee, and together we will drastically cut back on the number of bags we use,” he added.
Missing from both the vote and the stated City Council meeting were Jumaane Williams (Recovering from surgery) and Alan Maisel.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has indicated he supports the measure and is expected to sign it into law.
