Politics & Government

Report: County Bag Tax Brings $2 Million In Revenue

Montgomery County's controversial bag tax brought in more than double the anticipated revenue, The Washington Examiner reported.

Montgomery County's controversial 5-cent tax on shopping bags has brought in more than $2 million in its first year, The Washington Examiner reported.

The $2.1 million total through November could be pushed to $2.2 million once December numbers come in, County spokesperson Patrick Lacefield told The Washington Examiner.

Projected revenues for the bag tax were based on Washington, DC's, first year (2011) with the tax, according to the report. DC's system has brought in less money than expected as people brought their own bags to stores.

Find out what's happening in Gaithersburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Montgomery County bag tax took effect on Jan. 1, 2012, and was intended to reduce the number of plastic bags in county waterways. The county expected to earn up to $1.5 million from this tax in the first year.

Read the full story on bag tax revenue on The Washington Examiner.

Find out what's happening in Gaithersburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

SPEAK OUT: One year after the bag tax took effect in Montgomery County, where do you stand on it? Do you pony up the extra change to pay for your bags each time you shop or do you bring your own reusable bags? Tell us in the comments!


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