ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Two New York lawmakers say a proposal for banning plastic shopping bags has gained traction for inclusion in the next state budget being negotiated in Albany.
Sen. Todd Kaminsky and Assemblyman Steve Englebright, both Long Island Democrats, say Wednesday that they're optimistic that a ban on single-use plastic shopping bags could be included in the spending plan that's due Sunday. They say ongoing discussions on the issue include whether to impose a fee on paper bags.
Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo supports a plastic bag ban.
The Democrat-controlled Legislature is working to resolve debates over the details of several proposals in Cuomo's $175 billion spending plan, including eliminating cash bail for criminal defendants and a permanent extension of the existing 2 percent cap on local property tax increases.
