Dallas representative Rafael Anchia sponsors bill to tax plastic bags

alexander troup, says:

I voted for this guy and this is not a good ideal......Why.... not do a W.P.A and pay the poor to pick up trash...A/T, All bagged up for 7 cents...

Chris Kidd, says:

I say outright ban them, They cause more problems than they solve and the price of reusable bags has gone down DRAMATICALLY. I've picked up numerous types of these bags for around $2-3 bucks a piece at the store and use them all the time for groceries and other purchases. I know what pablo is referring to in his comments, as ive done volunteer work to clean these things up out of creekbeds, trees and wooded areas around town. People in these parts are outright pigs when it comes to taking care of the planet.

AnnMarie Wilson, says:

I agree ban them completely!

John McClelland, says:

If you do not want people to use plastic bags, then do not offer them. It is that simple.

And do we not remember why we have plastic bags? Does anyone remember the paper bags that do not have handles? The ones that rip and all your groceries go flying? And who needs a giant paper bag when you only have a couple items?

Oh and the reusable totes-- yeah like we are all disciplined enough to carry around shopping bags with us. I have two, and I try my best to remember to use them, but I don't always.

And what happens when everyone switches back to paper bags? We cut down more trees to produce them? This is a no win situation. Either we use trees or we use oil.

Jason Rice, says:

Yeah, I bethca a quick surey of the front lines of the "save the trees" folks last decade have new t-shirts that save "kill the bags" this year.

Chris Kidd, says:

Heres the way I see it: We're killing the planet, every little bit helps in both the short and long term. I ride my bike, use reusable bags and been recycling for a long time, before it was "cool" to do so.

People in this country and elsewhere need to get with the program and start being more responsible for their actions. Until we start colonizing planets or find a way to achieve warp drive, we only have one earth and we need to take care of her.

James Scott, says:

John - I agree with you on the reusable totes, I have a ton, but find myself every now and then forgetting them when I need them. However, being a fan of money, I know that if I'm being charged for the plastic bags (which I'd rather not have in the first place), I would certainly learn pretty quick to remember to bring the reusables.

If nothing else, it will stop cashiers in the grocery stores other than Whole Foods or Central Market from looking at me like I'm from another planet if I try to bring in my own bag. I think Target likes their bags blowing all over the city just for the free advertising.

John McClelland, says:

That is like a sin tax, but this time it is on plastic. The idea is ok, and I love me some Anchia, but how does this help people in rural areas who do not have recycling programs? So any money they spend on the bags would only benefit "city folk".

Jason Rice, says:

::only benefit "city folk".

I think you'll see a LOT more abuse of the rural citizens in the near future. It's no different than the farmers and ranchers that get taxes and limits put on their water so nearby cities can have stupid riverwalks for playtime. I wish rural America could secede. That threat would improve the behavior of a lot of "city folk."

Travis Bush, says:

*That threat would improve the behavior of a lot of "city folk."*

Hopefully Plano will go first...:D

Jason Rice, says:

We plan to siphon off your water first.... ya know, for the moat.

Jesus Valadez, says:

Even if you forget your bags, you do have a shopping cart so... Just place every item in the trunk and once you get home, go grab your bags. People need to stop making excuses.

Travis Bush, says:

"Just place every item in the trunk"

And hope the car doesn't have Lo-Jack....