Will California Crack Down on Plastic Bags?

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The choice between paper and plastic won’t be free if the toughest such law in the nation passes in Sacramento. The law would impose a “plastic carryout bag impact fee” of 25 cents a bag at groceries and pharmacies. On Reporter’s Notebook, another heath director quits LA County after just two years in one of the hardest jobs in the health care industry.

Main Topic

Is it the End of the Line for Paper or Plastic? ()

Disposable plastic bags are a risk to oceans, lakes, local economies and the quality of life for millions of people. That’s the argument between AB 2829 by LA Assemblyman Mike Davis. The Natural Resource Committee was scheduled to vote today on a bill to charge 25% a bag for shoppers choosing plastic at big grocery stores and pharmacies. The LA County Supervisors support it, and so does the environmental group Heal the Bay.

Guests:

• Kirsten James: Water Quality Director at Heal the Bay
• Sharon Kneiss: Vice President, Products Division, American Chemistry Council

Links:

• AB 2449
• plasticbagrecycling.org

Reporter's Notebook

L.A. County’s Health Director Steps Down ()

Dr. Bruce Chernof became LA County’s Director of Health Service just about two years ago. The five Supervisors said they had high hopes he could turn the department around. County-USC hospital was being rebuilt, King-Harbor was threatened with closure, and there weren’t enough resources to care for the uninsured. But Chernof said the challenge was worth it. Last week, he abruptly resigned to head a new private foundation.

Guests:

• Thomas Garthwaite: Chief Medical Officer, Catholic Health East
• Lark Galloway-Gilliam: Executive Director, Community Health Councils

Host

Warren Olney

Considered the dean of Southern California broadcast journalists, Warren tackles the issues Southern Californians care about. Expanding that concept, To the Point deals with issues of national concern and is on air in most major metropolitan markets across the country. On any day, you’ll hear a fast-paced, news-based talk show featuring multiple perspectives on a single major issue, with Newsmaker and Reporters Notebook features, as well. 

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Produced by

Katie Cooper, Karen Radziner

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Underwriters

Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.