PORTLAND — A proposal by the city of Portland to charge shoppers for disposable plastic or paper shopping bags has moved forward after a city council committee voted to lower the proposed fee and send it to the full council.
The Transportation, Sustainability and Energy Committee voted 3-1 Wednesday to slice the per-bag fee from a dime to a nickel.
Supporters say charging for bags would cut down on litter.
The fee would apply at stores where food constitutes at least 2 percent of gross sales but would not apply to dry cleaners, restaurants and farmers’ markets.
If enacted, Portland would become the first municipality in Maine to impose such a fee.
Opponents, including businesses, say the fee is a tax and the problem lies with the people who improperly dispose of bags.
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