TPPF Policy Orientation Panel to Address Plastic Bag Bans

AUSTIN – The Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Local Governance will host the panel, “The California-zation of Texas: Plastic Bag Bans,” at the 15th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature on Thursday, January 12th, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. CST at the Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol. More than a dozen municipalities in Texas have enacted single-use plastic bag bans and restrictions of some type, arguably in violation of existing state law. This panel will debate the merits of these policies as well as the implications for the rule of law.

“Texas is being California-ized thanks to a glut of big government rules and regulations enacted locally,” said James Quintero, director of the Center for Local Governance. “These nanny state laws dictate everything from the number of trees a landowner must have to the kind of clothing your Uber driver can wear to the number of people allowed at a backyard party. But by far the worst of these is the plastic bag ban. Not only are plastic bag bans bad policy, but cities are pushing for and enacting these regulations in violation of state law. That should concern everyone.”

For over fourteen years, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Policy Orientation has been one of the nation’s top policy conferences, selling out each year while bringing together lawmakers, policy experts, and engaged citizens to discuss critical issues facing the Lone Star State and America. 

Members of the public and media who wish to attend may register and view the agenda at: www.PolicyOrientation.com

Keynote and select sessions will be livestreamed at: txpo.li/TPPFlive