Tacoma grocery bag ban moves forward with some adjustments

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Tacoma's proposed disposable bag ban is moving forward with allowances to keep low-income households from being nickeled every time they go to the grocery store.

The News Tribune reports that on Wednesday a City Council committee approved the proposal, adding a requirement that the 5-cent bag fee be waived for families receiving food stamps.

The amended proposal, which now heads to the full council, also requires the city to carry out an outreach campaign to low-income and minority communities so low-income households that do not qualify for government aid will not be as easily penalized.

The city has been considering a disposable bag ban since 2012 but has faced strong opposition from residents and businesses.