A Bloomington group's efforts to ban plastic bag use in the city is on hold until Governor Mike Pence decides whether to sign a bill sitting on his desk. The bill would prohibit cities from adopting such laws.
A group called ‘Bring Your Bag Bloomington' is trying to get an ordinance passed that would eventually ban the use of plastic bags. There would be a one-year adjustment period where residents could pay 15 cents for a plastic bag.
But the proposal is on hold because of House Bill 1053, which prohibits local governments from adopting plastic bag bans.
Rebecca Swanson is a member of Bring Your Bag Bloomington and says she thinks the bill is beyond the state government's authority.
"There is a reason these things should be delegated to local government. We should be able to talk about what's good for us, what's good for our waterways, what's good for our environment," Swanson says.
Supporters of the bill say it would ensure laws that govern businesses are uniform across the state.
Gov. Pence hasn't said whether he will sign the bill.