The Democratic-led Assembly approved a one-year delay in enacting a 5-cent bag tax in New York City and the measure now goes to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is yet to take a public position on the issue.
“It makes sense to press the pause button on this fee in order to do a more thorough investigation on the best ways to reduce paper and plastic waste in our environment,” said Assembly Speaker Heastie, who was also concerned about the fee’s impact on poor New Yorkers.
On Monday, the state Senate voted to block the five-cent fee approved by the City Council and signed into law by Mayor Bill de Blasio last year.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr an opponent of the plastic bag surcharge tweeted, “Great to see this new tax delayed. NYC should consider incentives, like a refund program, rather than punitive fees.”
The bill now goes to Governor Andrew Cuomo who holds the fate of the city’s plastic bag fee in his hands. If the law is enacted, a one-year moratorium will delay implementation of the fee. But it would require another vote from the newly-elected City Council in 2018 to impose the fee once again.
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