Plastic Bag Ban

In the beginning of March, single-use plastic bags were banned from many stores in Austin. This means the thin plastic bags in stores are replaced with the 4 mil thick plastic bags, recycled paper bags, or the reusable bags. While doing some research I learned that the ban is good environmentally, but can cause problems with customers and businesses. 

For customers, the problem is their health. Sometimes when customers have their groceries in their reusable bags, they don’t realize some of the groceries spill and leak. Customers don’t realize how dirty their bags are so they continue using them, which causes contamination. The ban was also put into effect in San Francisco in 2007. Since the ban started, there has been a rise in E. coli cases as well as an increase in deaths from people getting food-borne illnesses. For businesses, the problem is an increase in theft. Since the customers are entering the store with their own bags, they can easily steal items. According to an article from the National Center for Policy Analysis, a store in Seattle estimated a loss of $5000 in produce and $3000-$4000 in frozen foods, as well as more grocery baskets.

I think that some of the efforts to “go green” are really great and helping the environment, but I don’t believe that this is one of them. It seems to be more dangerous and inconvenient more than it does to be helpful. Instead of banning them all together, we should spread the word on ways to recycle the bags. 

Medicaid Expansion?

       Medicaid expansion has been a huge topic in government. I have been reading many articles about it for these assignments, but "Straus Seeks Sugarcoat for Medicaid Expansion" by Dustin Matocha stuck with me. According to Speaker Joe Straus, “We need to move beyond the word ‘no’ to something the administration might entertain.” Governor Perry along with most of the House GOP oppose to the expansion. This article goes into explaining the Arkansas deal, which gives federal tax dollars for purchasing private insurance that have the same benefits and cost-sharing requirements as those of the Medicaid expansion offer. Speaker Straus’ solution is a “Texas Solution” similar to that.

      Matocha clearly doesn’t believe that this is the right plan for Texas.  According to Matocha, the system will cost an average of $3000 more per person, and is also going to leave Arkansas a higher bill than they would have had without the plan. Matocha’s article starts with the facts about the topic and the Arkansas plan, then goes on with more personal beliefs to show his thoughts on what should or shouldn’t happen. It works because it is informative as well as a little persuasive, and it also catches your attention. There were links to show where he got his information, which made it much more credible. His thoughts are easy to follow and know where they’re coming from. His conclusion summed up his thoughts on the argument very well:

“Sugarcoating a poison pill doesn’t make it any less poisonous, just like expanding Medicaid under the guise of a ‘flexible compromise’ isn’t any less hazardous to the health of our state’s fiscal future.”

http://www.empowertexans.com/features/straus-seeks-sugarcoat-for-medicaid-expansion/