Should Petaluma Ban Plastic Bags?

Sonoma County officials are moving closer to a ban on single-use plastic shopping bags, but resistance from Santa Rosa could torpedo the effort.

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports that a countywide ban is in the works, but needs the support of each city inside Sonoma County to succeed. Some Santa Rosa officials "fear a countywide ordinance would force the city to relinquish regulatory powers within its borders," the newspaper reports.

Meanwhile, Petaluma and Rohnert Park's city councils haven't voted on the idea. The Press Democrat cites "reservations" among some officials within both cities, although the Petaluma council in 2011 signaled support for a bag ban.

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Readers, what do you think? Should plastic bags be banned at grocery stores and elsewhere in the county? Should each city set its own policy, or should any bans be county-wide? Tell us in the comments section below.