Once again, a plastic bag ban is before the Baltimore City Council.
Councilman Bill Henry introduced a new version of the ban during the council’s first meeting of the year Monday.
The proposal would forbid merchants from using plastic bags, but make exceptions for farmers’ markets, prescription drugs and bulk candy.
The bill is similar to one Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake vetoed in December. That bill was introduced in early 2014 as a five cent per bag fee, but changed to an outright ban shortly before a preliminary vote before the full council, without a public hearing. The mayor didn’t like that.
Mayoral Spokeswoman Caron Brace said the mayor feels it is important for people that will be affected by the bill be heard in upcoming hearings.
"The mayor is sensitive to the fact that many Baltimore City residents have more month than money," said Brace. "A bag fee and/or ban will likely effect the pockets of many families and could make it more difficult to recruit grocery stores in communities where there is the greatest need."
Henry said he has assured the mayor that this will allow for people to weigh in on a ban.
The council has heard proposals on a plastic bag fee or ban since 2008.
The Shrinking Council
Councilwoman Rikki Spector introduced a charter amendment that would re-establish multi-member city council districts and reduce the size of the council from 14 members to 12 plus the president.
She said two recent events prompted her action. Council Vice President Ed Reisinger missed meetings repeatedly late last year because of an extended illness and Bill Cole’s council seat remained vacant for about a month after he left to head the Baltimore Development Corporation.
“When a councilperson was not in the council for extended illness or vacancy, there was not a vote for that entire district for local issues,” Spector said.
Her proposal would divide the city into four large council districts with three members each.
The system of multi-member districts that had been in place since 1967 was abandoned in 2004 in favor of 14 single-member districts.
Not everyone is on board with Spector’s proposal.
Councilwoman Sharon Green Middleton said the voters already spoke on the issue when they approved the current council structure.
“It’s all about moving forward and working with the people,” she said, “We have many important issues that are more important issues that we need to focus on this and not one of them.”
And besides, she said, there is no proof that single member districts have failed.
If the council approves the amendment, and the mayor signs off on it, the amendment would be on the 2016 ballot and enacted in 2020 if voters approve.