Virginia to Consider 20-Cent Plastic Bag Tax

The proposal would encompass plastic bags used at grocery and convenience stores.

January 17, 2011

RICHMOND, Va. - The Virginia General Assembly will debate a bill that would tack on a 20-cent tax on plastic bags handed out in convenience and grocery stores, the Huntington-Belle Haven Patch reports.

State Del. Joe Morrissey will introduce a bill that he said would encourage reusable bag usage and lower plastic bag waste in crops, landfills and watersheds. Morrissey was inspired by Ireland??s bag tax.

Meanwhile, Del. Adam Ebbin will reintroduce his proposal for a plastic bag tax that would collect a nickel per bag. Ebbin has submitted similar bills during the past two General Assemblies with no success. This year, Ebbin will have the support of Del. Scott Surovell, who also would throw his back Morrisey??s proposal.

Morrissey??s measure would divvy up the 20-cent tax as follows: 5 cents to the retailer and 15 cents to the Virginia Department of Taxation, with those funds earmarked for Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts. Ebbin??s proposal gives the nickel tax to the Water Quality Improvement Fund.

However, the bills have stiff opposition in the legislature. Del. Manoli Loupassi told WTVR-TV that he was against the tax because of the recovering economy. "People are out of jobs," said Manoli. "We??re not going to raise the price of them going to get their groceries. That's not a good idea."

The General Assembly will probably discuss Morrissey??s proposal soon.

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