Assembly pushes controversial bag tax back to December

PALMER — Most items on Tuesday night’s Mat-Su Borough Assembly agenda passed without much discussion or fanfare. Those items included funds for refurbishing ambulances, building maintenance, and a $7 million loan to construct a new landfill cell.

The vast majority of discussion focused on a proposed excise tax on plastic shopping bags in the Valley. After two hours of testimony and discussion, the borough assembly elected to delay a final vote until Dec. 5.

The proposal for a 10-cent excise tax on plastic shopping bags came from the work of the Mat-Su Borough Zero Waste Coalition’s plastic bag committee. The stated goal of the tax would not necessarily be to generate revenue for the borough, but rather to reduce the number of bags in circulation. Those bags often end up blowing away in the wind and getting caught on fences or trees.

In addition to the unsightly nature of plastic bag litter, Patty Fisher, who was on the plastic bag committee, said there are multiple instances of wild and domesticated animals eating the bags, which can be potentially lethal. Diana Ramstad, whose mother Betty Veers once served on the Assembly, testified that she once had to put down a horse that had eaten a plastic bag. She said, “Yes that’s pulling at heartstrings, but the fact is that’s a reality. That’s what happens when people don’t pick up after themselves.”

Supporters of the proposed excise tax often cited the risks to animals in addition to the fact that plastic does not biodegrade. Thomas Buckley of Palmer, who said he works with at-risk youth in the Valley, is in favor of the proposal for aesthetic reasons as well, linking a cleaner environment with a sense of identity and self-esteem.

Those who opposed the bag tax also did so for a number of reasons. Abby and Steve St. Clair both testified against the borough passing the ordinance. Steve St. Clair said that the evidence and numbers used by proponents may not be accurate, and that it was not clear how many businesses would be impacted. Abby St. Clair said that the government should be reducing its footprint, and effort should instead be spent on educating people as opposed to taxing the product.

Some pushed back on the idea that plastic bags were a significant threat to animals except in specific areas. Robert Friesen said that, as a frequent hunter, neither he nor any of his friends has pulled a plastic bag from an animal they have shot. Friesen also challenged the efficacy of the tax. He asked, “If a borough tax would stop garbage, why are there so damn many beer cans and beer bottles on the side of the road?” Alcohol is taxed significantly in the state of Alaska and the Valley.

Many of those who spoke against the ordinance freely stated that they did not like the proliferation of plastic bags, but they contend that the excise tax would not solve the issue. Some, like Charles Miller, preferred an outright ban on plastic shopping bags. After Borough Attorney Nicholas Spiropoulos said the Mat-Su does not have the authority to ban the use of plastic bags, Miller suggested that they “bump it to the state” to take action.

After testimony, the Assembly began its own discussion of the excise tax proposal. Wasilla Mayor Bert Cottle sent a letter to the borough asking that a decision be delayed so that the cities of Wasilla, Palmer and Houston could have an opportunity to discuss possible action on plastic bags at the municipal level.

Assembly Member Barbara Doty sponsored the ordinance. Doty acknowledged that there are not currently answers to some of the questions raised, but added, “Our other choice is to sit on our hands and do nothing, which is what we have been doing.” She opposed postponing the vote to wait for the cities, and said that the ordinance offered a chance to bring the conversation to the forefront and was designed to encourage and incentivize responsible behavior.

Dan Mayfield, who represents District 5, said he is in favor of doing something about plastic bags, but that he did not know if the tax would achieve results. George McKee of District 3 stated a similar opinion on the efficacy of the tax, suggesting that a $2.50 per bag tax might be effective, but 10 cents would not be. He acknowledged the need to do something about the bags, but said the tax was not it.

Assembly Member Jim Sykes of District 1 said the variety of views mirrored those that he heard from his constituents. He stated that the Assembly should wait to hear back from the cities and businesses before making a decision.

Ultimately, the Assembly pushed a decision on the ordinance to Dec. 5 by a vote of five to one, with Doty opposing. Assembly member Matthew Beck was not in attendance.