Republicans in Michigan passed a law preventing local governments from banning the use of plastic bags.
A new law in Michigan will prohibit local governments from banning, regulating or imposing fees on the use of plastic bags and other containers. You read that correctly: It’s not a ban on plastic bags — it’s a ban on banning plastic bags...
The new public act prohibits local ordinances from “regulating the use, disposition, or sale of, prohibiting or restricting, or imposing any fee, charge, or tax on certain containers,” including plastic bags, as well as cups, bottles and other forms of packaging. This means individual cities and municipalities are not allowed to ban plastic bags or charge customers a fee for using them.
So much for local government knows best, eh? I'm of the opinion that Republicans' mind set works like this: "Will this law piss off liberals? If yes, enact. If no, table and think of something that will piss off liberals." The utility of the law, common sense, and demonstrated need do not enter into the calculation.