With Portland on board for a statewide ban on single use plastic bags, supporters are bringing the cause to other cities around the state. Tonight, there’s an event in Eugene. More on that in a moment.
I also spoke this morning with State Senator Mark Hass, one of the co-sponsors of ban-the-bag legislation. He’s got some interesting insights on why the Portland City Council voted for a resolution, instead than passing a real law.
One of the first things Hass told me is that he’s pleased with the vote in Portland. “It’s good to have another player on the team,” he said.
And here’s a new twist on why the Portland vote went down the way it did. Hass says that if the city council had approved a full ban, the chemical industry may have tried to overturn it through a voter referendum. That’s exactly what happened last year in Seattle when city leaders tried to impose a 20-cent fee on plastic bags. Even in liberal Seattle, 53% of voters said they didn’t want that.
Hass told me if that were to happen in Portland, it would make it next to impossible to get support for a statewide ban. Besides, he said, business leaders prefer a statewide approach so the rules would be consistent everywhere in Oregon.
Ban The Bag In Eugene
The Lane Bus Project is holding an informational event about plastic bags tonight in Eugene. Time is 7:00pm at the Davis’ Restaurant and Bar, 94 West Broadway. Among the speakers is Brock Howell of Environment Oregon. EO and Surfrider are hoping for ban-the-bag votes in Bend, Hood River, Oregon City, Lake Oswego, Cannon Beach and Lincoln City.
For more information see: Lane Brewhaha: Paper or Plastic: Are Either Fantastic?
Portland City Council Endorses Plastic Bag Ban
VIDEO: Mayor Adams Supports Ban The Bag At Downtown Rally
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