Bottle Bill Dies in Conference Committee
Legislators decide to take the Bottle Bill amendment out of the Jobs Act.
The Bottle Bill will not make it to the Governor's desk this year.
The controversial proposal was included as an amendment to the Senate Jobs Bill, yet scrapped Monday in conference committee, according to an aide to its sponsor, Sen. Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth). The Jobs Bill is expected to be set before Gov. Deval Patrick today, July 31, the last day of the legislative session.
The amendment had faced strong opposition in the House, with Speaker Robert DeLeo describing it as a tax. Hedlund disputed this view, saying that taxes can't be redeemed.
The expansion to the 31-year-old law designed to promote recycling and reduce litter would have added plastic bottles used for water, juices, iced tea and sports drinks to the list of containers subject to the 5-cent bottle deposit. Under the law, these types of containers carry a 5-cent redeemable deposit that can be collected when they are returned to the store.
Opponents said the bill would have increased costs for businesses and consumers. Supporters said it would have encouraged more recycling.
Governor Patrick said that the state could collect up to $58 million a year on unredeemed bottles, and that the program cuts the cost to city of recycling the bottles.
What are your thoughts on the Bottle Bill expansion? Do you think the time has come to increase the types of bottles that should be redeemed or do you think that it is another tax ? Would you support it if it is brought forward again next year? Let us know in comments.
Margaret Carroll-Bergman
2:25 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Do you redeem your bottles or just put them in the recycling bin?
Donald Muckerheide
8:59 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Mine are put out for a few poor folks who know where they are.
Michael Ellis Day
7:13 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Has anyone ever been heard to say, "Wow, I'd definitely buy that soda/iced tea/juice if only it were five cents cheaper! Spending that extra nickel is a total deal breaker for me, even though I can get it back almost immediately if I can be bothered to collect it!"
Opposition to bills like this is really about people who, for purely philosophical reasons, want to keep government from collecting money for any reason. These people don't care if they could get that money back, or if the money might be spent on things they approve, or if there are environmental benefits. They just want to starve all government, for good or ill.
Carrie Cheffro
1:02 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
This should have been done along time ago! Recycling helps keep our community clean, helps to teach our child the value of money and ways they can help save the enviorment. Its a shame it got kicked to the curb again!
Tom Hodgson
6:36 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Another typical last minute death, the bill is dead at the hands of our craven and cowardly pols. Most of the people in this state want a better bottle bill. Once again, special interests have killed it. Shame on DeLeo, shame on the "conference committee".
Carolyn J Puleo
8:40 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Too many are stuck on what's good for me today not what's good for the Country tomorrow.
Donald Muckerheide
8:57 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Sad, lots of underemployed and unemployable people make money collecting bottles. Roads are cleaned of bottles for free. Sponsored by a Republican and shot down by a Democrat because he considered it a tax. Roll reversal??? The bottle bill has worked well since we used to find bottles when I was a kid and got 3 cents per bottle. I guess we need a few more Republicans in the state house for balance and financial logic. Don't shoot me!!! I am an independent, just sayin. HA!
Michael R. Landers
9:35 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Let's see, plastic bottles in landfills or worse, thrown out randomly or recycled to recover the deposit on the bottle. It should be a no-brainer. Help save the planet by taking a small amount of effort, or saving 5 cents that you'll get back anyway. Bob DeLeo is an idiot on this one. A TAX is when you pay above the price, with no hope of return. If we simply recycle, there is no cost above the price. I support this bill.
BILLY
9:53 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
BILLYMICK
I JUST DON'T GET IT. EXPANDING THE BOTTLE BILL IS A NO-BRAINER & A WIN-WIN FOR RECYCLING & THE COMMONWEALTH
Mel Cross
11:40 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I know the lady that raids all the Blue recyle bins on trash day is very disappointed.... This was going to be a windfall for her..........
Carolyn O'Daly
12:21 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I recycle because it's free and decreases the amount of trash I have to pay to get rid of. I'm not poor but since I'm retired I don't like to waste money. Those that do probably have too much of it!
J Butler
7:35 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
i would have preferred $1 per alcohol related bottle/can, and the rest of the bill.
i recycle, nothing tough about it. i'm very tired of the beer/wine/nip bottles
discarded wherever, maybe if the deposit was a little steeper, more attention would be paid to recycling. plenty of people in town would welcome the extra $$$
Mel Cross
9:08 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
J,
Thats the open container law........pour it in a DD cup and whip it out the window.......but it comes full cirlce for the guy on the bike/trailer he comes by and picks them up....
Ryan Scudder
6:48 am on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Just another example of you get what you vote for, with all the whinning that the state needs more money why wouldnt you pass this bill, i love the part about that its a TAX of course its a tax but at least you get 100% reimbursment when ever you want the money instead of waiting untin April. God i hate corrupt polotics.