July 28th, 2010
By BETH SLOVIC |
News |
Posted In: CLEAN UP, Schools, City Hall, Legislature
Portland City Commissioners today adopted a compromise resolution in support of a proposed statewide ban on single-use plastic bags [PDF].
The joint effort with the Oregon Legislature follows a recent push by Mayor Sam Adams (who voted on today's resolution via telephone because he was ill) to enact a Portland-specific ban on the petroleum-based bags.
In response to Adams' local campaign, state lawmakers pressed the mayor in a July 21 letter [PDF] to modify his plan. The lawmakers--including Sen. Mark Hass (D-Raleigh Hills), Sen. Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland) and Rep. Ben Cannon (D-Portland)--said in their letter to the mayor that a Portland ordinance could "inadvertently jeopardize two years of work at the state level." They asked him to instead consider a resolution calling for a statewide ban.
One day later, Adams agreed in writing [PDF] to a collaborative approach.
That approach, approved today in a 4-0 vote with Commissioner Dan Saltzman absent, will give the Legislature an opportunity to pass a statewide ban in 2011. If state lawmakers fail to pass that ban, Portland will go ahead with its local ordinance. Cannon, Hass and Dingfelder (pictured below) all testified at City Hall today in favor of the deal.
City Hall: Commissioners Pass Plastic-Bags Resolution
Portland City Commissioners today adopted a compromise resolution in support of a proposed statewide ban on single-use plastic bags [PDF].
The joint effort with the Oregon Legislature follows a recent push by Mayor Sam Adams (who voted on today's resolution via telephone because he was ill) to enact a Portland-specific ban on the petroleum-based bags.
In response to Adams' local campaign, state lawmakers pressed the mayor in a July 21 letter [PDF] to modify his plan. The lawmakers--including Sen. Mark Hass (D-Raleigh Hills), Sen. Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland) and Rep. Ben Cannon (D-Portland)--said in their letter to the mayor that a Portland ordinance could "inadvertently jeopardize two years of work at the state level." They asked him to instead consider a resolution calling for a statewide ban.
One day later, Adams agreed in writing [PDF] to a collaborative approach.
That approach, approved today in a 4-0 vote with Commissioner Dan Saltzman absent, will give the Legislature an opportunity to pass a statewide ban in 2011. If state lawmakers fail to pass that ban, Portland will go ahead with its local ordinance. Cannon, Hass and Dingfelder (pictured below) all testified at City Hall today in favor of the deal.
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