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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Recycling Bill – A Trojan Horse for Big Business?

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Thursday, April 7, 2011   

AUSTIN, Texas - Environmentalists organized by the Texas Campaign for the Environment converge on the state Capitol today, trying to focus attention on the need to reduce disposable bags in the waste stream. "Plastic Bag Monsters" will also be roaming the grounds. Here's a preview of what those "monsters" will be saying.

"We want to be free! To lie in the barbed-wire fences. And hang from the trees. Free the Bag Monsters!"

As some Texas communities move to ban single-use bags outright, lawmakers are considering bills that would force large retail stores to install readily accessible recycling stations for customers. It's a move endorsed by both retailer organizations and bag manufacturers - but not by environmentalists, who contend such canisters are already commonplace. They warn of a provision in the legislation that could prevent local governments from passing stricter laws, such as bag bans, on their own.

Three Texas communities have already banned the bags, including Fort Stockton in Pecos County, whose mayor pro tem says the proposed legislation amounts to a "Trojan horse" hiding big-business interests. Darren Hodges says the issue is local control for towns trying to clean up their fields and highways.

"If the citizens and the stores in Fort Stockton come up with a solution, we don't want the state coming in and superseding our rights to make up solutions to our problems."

Some legislators have proposed grandfathering localities like Fort Stockton - allowing their stricter laws to remain in place - but, so far, the bills as written would prevent new bag bans. The Senate bill's sponsor, Republican Troy Fraser, says the measure is intended as a transition toward eventual elimination of the non-reusable bags.

Environmentalists - like those speaking out in Austin today - say they will not support the plan as long as it includes the restrictive language.




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The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

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Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

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Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

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Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

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Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

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New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

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Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

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Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

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