Editor’s Note: Click here

(https://youtu.be/hKW8aUREEDM) for a downloadable .mp4 file of Assemblyman Manktelow’s interview for immediate use

Assemblyman Brian Manktelow (R,C,I,Ref-Lyons) is dismayed to announce Gov. Cuomo, Assembly Majority Leader Crystal People-Stokes and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins have made a deal to put the proposed plastic bag ban into the state budget. This ban, which would start in March 2020, would forbid stores from providing customers with single-use plastic bags. The legislation would also allow counties to opt in to enforcing a 5-cent fee on the use of paper bags, which would go to New York’s Environmental Protection Fund and a fund to provide reusable bags to consumers. The legislation was designed to help protect the environment from non-biodegradable plastic bags, which have had a negative impact on New York’s environment.

“Once again we see the lack of transparency with this typical three men in a room deal,” said Manktelow. “As state legislators, we are the voice for the people in our districts, yet we were not given the chance to speak up for our communities on this issue. While I agree with helping protect our environment, this is something, which will have a huge impact on small businesses statewide. All of New York should have been included in this discussion, not just the governor and two representatives from New York. It is also a policy item, not a budget item, and therefore should not be included in the upcoming state budget. Moving forward I plan to continue to fight against issues such as this to make sure things are done properly and fairly so all New Yorkers are heard.”