The  California statewide bill AB 1998 forges ahead.  The bill, authored by Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, would make California the first state in the nation to ban plastic bags at grocery, drug and some convenience stores.

The bill passed the Assembly in June, and, despite heavy lobbying by the plastics industry, passed the Senate Rules Committee on Friday with several amendments.

Time to act! We are so close to passing a historic legislation to save the $25M cost to haul plastic trash to the landfill.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Continue the pressure on Senators Wolk and Price. We need their votes. Contact info below.

2. Call the friendly Senators (list below) and thank them for their support, also ask them to work member-to-member to get Senators Wolk and Price to release the bill from Appropriations and off the floor. We need peer pressure.

Liberal Democrats/Yes Votes (* denotes strong yeses)

1.    Elaine Alquist (San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara) 916-651-4013

2.    Ellen Corbett * (EQ) (San Leandro/Hayward/Fremont) 916-651-4010

3.    Mark DeSaulnier (co-author) (Antioch/Martinez/Concord) 916-651-4007

4.    Loni Hancock * (EQ) (co-author) (Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda) 916-651-4009

5.    Christine Kehoe (San Diego) 916-651-4039

6.    Mark Leno * (co-author) (Novato/San Rafael/San Francisco) 916-651-4003

7.    Carol Liu (co-author) (Altadena, Burbank, Glendale, La Canada Flintridge, LA, Pasadena, San Gabriel, Valley Village, Van Nuys) 916-651-4021

8.    Alan Lowenthal * (EQ) (co-author) Long Beach, Artesia, Avalon 916-651-4027

9.    Fran Pavley * (EQ) (co-author) (Santa Monica/Port Hueneme) 916-651-4023

10.Joe Simitian (Palo Alto/San Jose) 916-651-4011

Curren D. Price Jr.: (D) Counties – Los Angeles / Main Cities – Culver City, Hancock Park, Hollywood, Los Angeles / Captiol: 651-4026, Fax: 445-8899, Room 2052, Chf of Stf: Curtis Earnest / District: Los Angeles  (213-745-6656) / Committee: Appr

Lois Wolk: (D) Counties – Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Yolo / Main Cities – Davis, Fairfield, Manteca, Stockton, Tracy, Vacaville, West Sacramento / Capitol: 651-4005, Fax: 323-2304, Room 4032, Chf of Stf: Craig Reynolds / District: Vacaville (707-454-3808), Stockton (209-948-7930)

The time to voice your support is now.  We can make this happen!