Duluth again delays plastic bag fee
Councilors were divided on whether a nickel-per-bag charge should be postponed in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Written By: Peter Passi | ×
Plastic and paper bags sit ready for use at checkout at Mount Royal Market in Duluth. (File / News Tribune)
The Duluth City Council voted 7-2 Monday night to push back a fee on plastic bags that was scheduled to take effect at the start of next year. Monday night s vote actually marked the third delay of the proposed nickel-per-bag charge that originally was to have gone into place in April, then that date was moved to July before being postponed until January. On previous occasions, the council cited concerns about bringing forward a new requirement in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Duluth Council Amends Mayor Larson’s 2021 Tourism Tax Revenue Distribution
The Council s unanimous decision is the ultimate say beyond the Mayor s recommendations for the money allocations.
December 15, 2020
DULUTH, Minn.- At their second to last meeting of the year Duluth City Council voted on, among other things, next year’s distribution of a smaller pot of Tourism Tax Revenue due to the effects of the pandemic.
Last year, about $12 million in Tourism Tax or Hotel, Motel, Food and Beverage Tax Revenue was collected for Duluth tourism-related investments and to help pay for some of the city’s debt obligations.
Our View: City Council can bag the bag fee already
The new fee (a new tax really) promises to burden shoppers and retailers alike, and it can finally be scrapped for good.
Written By:
News Tribune Editorial Board | 7:00 am, Dec. 14, 2020 ×
The Minnesota Grocers Association’s view is as spot on now as it was in March when it first said that, “in light of the current public health emergency and the incredible stress and strain on grocery-store workers,” now is no time for a new 5-cent fee on plastic shopping bags in Duluth.
Of course, when is a good time for another burden on Duluth businesses and a fresh inconvenience, annoyance, and expense for shoppers, as a News Tribune editorial also first asked in March?
Duluth considers forming LGBT Commission The Duluth group would advise the mayor and City Council on policies. December 11, 2020 7:52pm Text size Copy shortlink:
DULUTH – Almost a year after the City Council approved a conversion therapy ban, officials are proposing an ordinance that would give LGBT residents a louder voice in local government.
Duluth council members will introduce plans for a Nonbinary, Queer, Trans, Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Intersex and Asexual Commission at their Monday meeting. The proposed group, referred to as the LGBT+ Commission for short, would serve as an advisory entity for city staff and elected leaders.
The seven-member commission would also weigh in on complaints to the city s Office of Human Rights related to sexual orientation and gender expression.
Critics question the city s continued delay. Written By: Peter Passi | ×
Plastic and paper bags sit ready for use at checkout at Mount Royal Market in Duluth. (File / News Tribune)
The Duluth City Council could once again push off the implementation of a nickel-per-plastic bag fee that is slated to take effect on Jan. 1, 2021.
Council President Gary Anderson has sponsored an amended ordinance that would delay the fee until 90 days after emergency COVID-19 pandemic declarations by the city and/or state of Minnesota expire. I think it s a two-sided coin that we need to be looking at. One is the essential workers, the people who are serving us in our grocery stores primarily. Then, the other side is just the pressure that we are all feeling as individuals and as families, Anderson said.