Re: "Two Words for Albany's attempt to micromanage NYC: Bag It:"

There are several local manufacturers of plastic bags (which by the way can be completely biodegradable) in our area. Have no supporters of the city's proposed 5-cent fee for disposable bags given any thought to taking away the livelihood of these workers or the owners of these companies? Does the importance of “made in the USA” or more importantly “made in New York” have selective significance?

There are many hard-working salespeople (many of them on commission) who earn their livings, support their families and send their children to college from the fruits of their labor in this industry. Doesn’t anyone care about their loss of income? Will this lead to the creation of more personal debt for them or possibly to homelessness? Did the council consider the consequences of adding more numbers to the list of New Yorkers who struggle to make ends meet?

If the powers to be are truly earnest in their plan to keep us green, please explain to me what reason on God’s “green” Earth makes sense for the retailers to be rewarded with this nickel per bag? Why is this money not going to an agency that can make a difference on this issue?

When most New Yorkers leave the house in the morning, we schlep what we need for the day generally in totes or backpacks that are big, bulky and heavy despite how stylish they are and then we walk or get on subways or bikes to go about our business. The majority of us, I assume, will not be carrying reusable sturdy bags in their already extra heavy totes and backpacks. I don’t see how the number of plastic bags used will be significantly reduced, but I most definitely see a windfall new revenue stream for the retailers!

Linda J. Rubin

Upper East Side

Re: "Two Words for Albany's attempt to micromanage NYC: Bag It:"

There are several local manufacturers of plastic bags (which by the way can be completely biodegradable) in our area. Have no supporters of the city's proposed 5-cent fee for disposable bags given any thought to taking away the livelihood of these workers or the owners of these companies? Does the importance of “made in the USA” or more importantly “made in New York” have selective significance?

There are many hard-working salespeople (many of them on commission) who earn their livings, support their families and send their children to college from the fruits of their labor in this industry. Doesn’t anyone care about their loss of income? Will this lead to the creation of more personal debt for them or possibly to homelessness? Did the council consider the consequences of adding more numbers to the list of New Yorkers who struggle to make ends meet?

If the powers to be are truly earnest in their plan to keep us green, please explain to me what reason on God’s “green” Earth makes sense for the retailers to be rewarded with this nickel per bag? Why is this money not going to an agency that can make a difference on this issue?

When most New Yorkers leave the house in the morning, we schlep what we need for the day generally in totes or backpacks that are big, bulky and heavy despite how stylish they are and then we walk or get on subways or bikes to go about our business. The majority of us, I assume, will not be carrying reusable sturdy bags in their already extra heavy totes and backpacks. I don’t see how the number of plastic bags used will be significantly reduced, but I most definitely see a windfall new revenue stream for the retailers!

Linda J. Rubin

Upper East Side

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