Vote postponed on plastic bag tax

Hartford (WTNH) - A proposal to impose a nickel tax on all plastic and paper bags in Connecticut is now scheduled for a crucial committee vote on Monday. The vote was postponed today because of an intense lobbying effort against it.

Lawmakers on the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee were scheduled to vote on the proposal to impose a tax on both plastic and paper bags today, but the vote was put off. There are always a lot of lobbyists hanging outside this committee and there are plenty lobbying against this bill.

It's been widely reported that the Grocery Store Association supports this bill. But lawmakers are feeling pressure to vote against it because the association representing thousands of other retailers, from big box stores to the mom and pop variety, oppose it saying it will hurt business.

Lawmakers are also hearing from those who make the bags. Did you know there are two manufacturers of plastic bags in the New Haven area? An environmental issue has also become a jobs issue.

Among the public at large, there are those who just see this as another burdensome tax and that's one of the arguments lobbyists are using.

"No, because we all have a lot of taxes already. We pay too much and that's kind of ridiculous to me," said Sara Santiago of Danielson.

The tax would be used to help clean up the environment and force people to bring their own bags whenever they shop, something many people are already doing. Many people News Channel 8 spoke with today are in favor of the tax.

"I think it's a great idea because we're getting way too many bags these days and it's not hard to bring your own," said Stephen Marcaurele of Meriden.

"We all have to be responsible for taking care of nature and our environment and plastic bags. If people don't reuse them they pollute," said Alba Henao of Coventry.

"I'm opposed to any extra taxes, especially in this economy, but I think if it's something that's going to benefit the environment I'm all for it," said Dominick Chrstopharo of Wethersfield.

Gov. Jodi Rell tells Chief Capitol Correspondent Mark Davis that she "hates this bill," but won't go as far as to say she will veto it.

If the bill passes, Connecticut would be the first state to enact such a law.