Cranston Councilman Hopkins Calls for Delay in Effective Date of Plastic Bag Ordinance

Cranston Councilman Hopkins Calls for Delay in Effective Date of Plastic Bag Ordinance

Cranston mayoral candidate Kenneth Hopkins (R) said Monday that he is proposing that the City Council delay implementation of the city’s mandatory use of paper bags by businesses that is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2020.

“The last thing a local business needs is for us to burden them with this requirement as they fight to survive through this pandemic. We have restaurants and businesses suffering with the severe effects of the necessary health shut down,” said Hopkins, who added he expressed "general support for the intent of protecting the local environment."

Hopkins is scheduled to face Cranston City Council President and fellow Republican Michael Farina in the GOP primary.

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Hopkins is proposing a one year delay for the implementation date of the mandatory prohibition of plastic bag use.

“Businesses still have an abundance of plastic bags that they could use.” Hopkins said. “We need to give them time to use their existing inventory of plastic bags.”

Hopkins said he will also propose that his fellow council members revisit the imposed penalty of $250 per violation that the council adopted in 2019.

Hopkins said, “Looking at the totality of circumstances today, perhaps we need to look at that fine again as punitive. When I am Mayor of Cranston, economic development and business-friendly policies will be a top priority. We will balance that with a common-sense approach to protect our environment and the great quality of life our citizens enjoy.”