Retailers in some Michigan regions could be under the gun to give up the use of plastic bags and other supplies if certain legislation gets passed. In fact, ongoing attempts to ban or regulate those plastic bags, cups or other disposable packaging and containers in several Michigan counties were lambasted again today…this time by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). NFIB State Director Charlie Owens was on the defensive before the House Commerce & Trade Committee in Lansing this morning in light of local government attempts to prohibit plastic bags and other materials or heavily regulate them.
Representing the state's leading small business organization, NFIB Director Owens told committee members, "Small businesses are already overwhelmed with state and federal regulatory requirements as well as already existing local rules." Owens says, "Heaping yet another record-keeping and compliance burden on them is not a wise economic development policy for local governments or the state."
Owens’ testimony comes in response to ongoing efforts by some cities and local governments in Michigan to pass a local ordinance that would ban or regulate plastic bags, cups or other disposable packaging and containers within their jurisdiction. Both Washtenaw and Muskegon counties are looking at ordinances that would ban stores from giving plastic bags to customers and/or impose a fee for each plastic or paper bag they distribute. In response, Senator Jim Stamas has introduced Senate Bill 853 that would prohibit local governments from passing these kinds of laws. The bill has already passed the Senate.
Owens told state legislators, “While the intentions may be honorable, placing these requirements on citizens and businesses in a local area just encourages job providers to locate elsewhere or move out of that area when they have the opportunity.” He points out that “Often these kind of local efforts begin with a lofty goal and end with a fee and regulation scheme that becomes just another way for local governments to tax residents and businesses and provide government jobs for those who would enforce the ordinance.”
Owens also testified that this local approach to regulation that varies from one local jurisdiction to the next creates an inefficient patchwork quilt of rules that is especially confusing to small business. Owens urged the House Commerce Committee to support the Senate bill.
For more information about NFIB, you can click this link: www.nfib.com.
