Paper or plastic? How many times have you heard that at the grocery store? A battle is brewing in the Kansas Legislature over a bill that would stop cities from banning plastic bags. A bill in the legislature is promoted by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. It would forbid municipal bans on not just plastic shopping bags, that you carry by the armloads from your local Walmart store, but plastic straws as well. However, opponents of the bill, including many attorneys, say it would be in violation of the Kansas Constitution which was amended in 1961 to give “home rule” power to cities and counties.
Effective in March, the city of Lawrence will be the first city in Kansas to ban plastic bags. Supporters of the ban see them as something that damages the economy. However, supporters of the bill say it would help the forest product industry make money in Kansas, with more paper and biodegradable products.
