A decade after California implemented a plastic bag ban, it was discovered that plastic bag use had actually increased by nearly 50 percent. This was due to a loophole in the initial legislation that allowed grocery stores to hand out thicker plastic bags, which consumers did not reuse as intended. San Diego Sen. Catherine Blakespear successfully passed a law this year to close this loophole, aiming to reduce plastic bag waste. The new law will still allow grocery stores to provide paper bags made of recycled materials and thin plastic bags for produce. In other news, San Diego Unified School District faced issues of sexual misconduct that reached the superintendent’s office. Meanwhile, in North County, cities have been navigating housing fights, homelessness crackdowns, and financial struggles in the health care sector. Tigist Layne provided a recap of the top stories in the region and speculated on what may happen in the upcoming year. Interesting developments may include the state pressuring Del Mar to approve an affordable housing project, Encinitas facing housing challenges, and Palomar Health working to improve its financial situation. It’s clear that there will be many important developments to watch in North County in the coming year.
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Photo credit voiceofsandiego.org
Morning Report: Plastic Bag Ban Found Ineffective
