Baltimore Bag Ban Passes City Council Vote

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- In Baltimore, the controversy continues over plastic bags. Monday night, the city council voted to ban the bags. Supporters say it will help get litter out of the harbor but others argue it's bad for local businesses and their customers.

Christie Ileto explains the mayor's threatening to veto.

Bags carry a lot of controversy. In a final vote, plastic bags just got outlawed in city retailers like grocery stores.

"The plastic bags wind up in my yard, in my trees," said Charlie Smith. "I'm going to start using these to keep my share from going in the trees and other people's yards."

Supporters are hoping shoppers will be like Charlie Smith and carry more reusable bags to reduce litter.

The bag ban isn't winning with those who favor convenience.

"The paper bag is gonna bust faster than plastic," said Tyrone.

What does this mean for stores like supermarkets? Opponents are saying it's going to cost them more to carry paper bags vs. plastic---and that cost could be passed on to you.

"The money we spend...food done gone up high enough," said shopper Angela Broadway.

Thousands of dollars are at stake for stores' bottom lines.

The city council initially eyed a five cents surcharge for the bags but the tax met heavy criticism. The last minute change has the mayor vowing to veto.

"You can introduce substantial change," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "Change the whole bill at 4:30 and pass it at 5 o'clock."

"The process always has to include the public and this process did not include the public," said Councilman Brandon Scott.

The vote---though final---won't be the last word on the fate of the plastic bags. The mayor vows to veto this bill.

The mayor is also promising to veto another controversial bill. The council passed a measure requiring city officers to wear body cameras. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says it was passed too quickly without addressing several key issues, including privacy.

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