January 12, 2008
WHO-TV
Rift Forming Over Culver's Deposit Proposal
Channel 13's Dan Winters reports that in order for the new bill to pass, the governor needs a lot of support from lawmakers.
Can redemption center owner Larry Patterson says the last thing he needs is people fighting over pennies.
"Because they paid ten cents at the store and they're going to expect ten cents back," Patterson said.
Under Culver's plan, one penny goes back to the state, another back to the store, and eight cents back to the consumer. A year and a half ago Culver wasn't campaigning on this plan to also add items to Iowa's bottle bill. But Metro Waste Authority says times have changed and people drink as much juice and water as they do beer and soda out of plastic bottles.
"Those do need to be added because we're seeing more of those in the landfill," says Amy Horst of MWA.
Horst would like to see them brought to MWA, but the Iowa Grocery Association would prefer not. It has long complained that germs hitch a ride on bottles brought back to the store. IGA president Jerry Fleagle says Culver's new plan doesn't address old problems and would actually drive up prices.
"Interestingly, the governor has said that he wants to work in a bipartisan fashion and with both small and large businesses, and I find it very ironic that we haven't been contacted about it," Fleagle said.
Fleagle says the idea looks more like a new tax.
"Originally the bottle bill was about litter recycling, and now we've changed it into generating revenue for the state," Fleagle said.
Culver is expected to reveal more about his idea for taxing bottles and cans during Tuesday night's state of the state speech.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22626345/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22626345/
