Texas' Attempt to Ban Plastic Bag Bans Fails!

I am happy to announce with that the attempt by two Texas Legislators to limit local rule on plastic bag ordinances has failed in the Texas Legislature leaving local communities able to tackle plastic pollution on their own terms!  This was the result of a joint effort by all 5 Texas Chapters of the Surfrider Foundation and the Texas Campaign for the Environment.

This now leaves the door open for proposed plastic bag bans in Austin, Corpus Christi and Galveston to be passed and join South Padre Island, Brownsville and Fort Stockton as communities that have adopted plastic bag bans in an effort to reduce litter and plastics litter in their areas!  The passage of more plastic bag ordinances within the state of Texas is now imperative in the next 2 years so that Texas Legislators that supported the ban on plastic bag bans will be forced to defend actions that were taken in their districts to take care of their environment.

Ironically, Senator Troy Fraser who introduced the Senate version of the plastic bag ordinance ban was named as one of Texas Monthly's worst legislators for the 82nd Texas Legislative Session.  He actually introduced legislation that would give incentive to grow the states burgeoning solar energy industry but then failed to support the legislation himself.

A Sea Turtle's Bag

For those of you that refuse to believe that plastic bags have a direct effect on marine life see below.  This turtle was rescued by Sea Turtle, Inc. on South Padre Island.  The volunteer is having to aid the animal in passing the bag.  Most turtles are not so lucky to have assistance and end up dying. 

Yes.  This is a REAL turtle attempting to pass a REAL plastic shopping bag it consumed

Thanks to the hospital at Sea Turtle, Inc. this Sea Turtle will survive its mistake.  Most aren't so lucky.

Pass on the bag so another Sea Turtle won't have to!