Bexley is one of three Ohio communities banning the use of plastic shopping bags to help protect the environment.
But the efforts could be squelched by state lawmakers. Ohio House Bill 242 was introduced just before the bans in Cuyahoga County and Bexley were passed. It would prohibit local bans and charging for plastic bags, and could prevent the current bans from taking effect. The third community to pass a ban was Orange Village, says council member Scott Bilsky.
Bexley City Council member Richard Sharp was the only dissenting vote on the ban.
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Other opponents say the bans hurt merchants who must spend more on paper bags. Three states have outlawed plastic bags, and 13 others have enacted laws preventing local governments from doing so.
