In this issue…

Plastic Bag Tax Passes Despite Ongoing Financial Hardship – At Tuesday’s meeting, I was the only Board member to vote against a 5-cent plastic bag tax that will go into effect on January 1, 2022. Before voting we heard opposition from numerous community members, business owners, grocery store owners, food bank volunteers, and the former EPA Administrator who opposed this tax because of the burden it puts on residents and the lack of environmental impact it will have. As I shared with you in my last newsletter, this is the wrong time for a new tax while we’re dealing with the pandemic, the fastest rising inflation in 12 years, and increasing gas prices. I’ll share more on what you need to know about this new tax below. 

Board Approves Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) – In addition to the plastic bag tax, at Tuesday’s meeting the Board accepted the Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) and directed staff to prepare an implementation plan for consideration next year. I support protecting our environment as long as it is done in a fiscally responsible and efficient way. I abstained on this vote for two reasons - the plan needs more community feedback/input and more grounding in which of the over 200 pages of recommendations  are financially feasible for taxpayers.


Other News and Information

  • Early Voting Starts This Friday (September 17)
  • FYI - Important news about Redistricting
  • Strategic Plan Community Survey (September 24)
  • More below