Legislation promotes use of plastic bags

The Ohio House voted 57-34 on Wednesday for a bill to block local governments fromputting fees or bans on the use of plastic grocery bags and other single-use containers.

The bill now moves to Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk for signature or veto.

The legislation is backed by grocers and other retailers but opposed by environmental groups and local officials who say it is an infringement on Ohio’s home rule powers.

The Senate included a one-year sunset provision but in general, the Ohio Mayors Alliance opposes legislation that pre-empts local authority, said Keary McCarthy, spokesman for the alliance, which represents Ohio’s largest cities.

The cities of Bexley and Cincinnati and Cuyahoga County each have endorsed plans to ban single-use plastic bags.

“The state legislature again shows that they do not believe in the conservative principle that the best government is the one closest to the people,” Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley said. “Like their colleagues in

Washington, D.C., they are only interested in power, not principles.”

State Rep. George Lang, R-West Chester Twp., said the bill provides uniform business regulations across the state and prohibitswhat he called an unfair tax on the poor. He also said that the free market is already addressing the issue as grocery chains, such as Kroger, have announced they’ll phase out the use of plastic bags.

Lawmakers also took action to allow Ohioans to order cocktails to go when they get carry out food from a bar or restaurant. The

Ohio Senate passed the measure on Wednesday.

The provision was initially enacted by an executive order signed by Gov. Mike DeWine as a means of helping bars and restaurants stay in business during the coronavirus shut downs in the spring.

Although many restauran t s and b a r s have re-opened, they face a nervous clientele and social distancing restrictions that make business difficult, said Andy Herf, director of the Ohio Spirits Association and the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association.