ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Mayors, city council members and other local officials from around New York State wrote to lawmakers Wednesday urging them not to overrule New York City's fee on plastic bags.
The letter from more than 50 local leaders comes a week after the state Senate voted to block the city's bag fee. The legislation is now pending in the Assembly.
Starting next month retail stores in New York City will impose a fee of 5 cents or more on single-use plastic shopping bags. Retailers will keep the revenue from the fee, which is intended to encourage the use of reusable bags and decrease litter.
``Good environmental policy, and good public policy in general, requires this kind of innovation and experimentation at the local level,'' the local officials wrote. ``We strongly urge you to oppose any legislation that would roll back progress to protect the environment and address climate change.''
The officials argue that cities around the state, nation and world are using bag fees to reduce litter and say the state shouldn't interfere with a local decision.
Critics of the fee say it will place an unfair burden on low-income residents. Sen. Simcha Felder, a Brooklyn Democrat, is a leading supporter of the bill to stop the fee from going into effect.
``Many families have a hard time just getting by, paying for groceries, rent and heat,'' Felder said. ``This will hurt lower- and middle-income families who already struggle.''
