As editor of NewsChannel 8 in Washington is reporting that 38 percent of the business there are not complying with the city's 5-cent-per-bag tax on single-use plastic and paper grocery bags.
The station's report quotes an unidentified official with the district's ">Department of the Environment who has been visiting stores as a "secret shopper" to check on whether they're complying with the law.
My question: Why are they failing to comply?
According to the story, the problem is that stores "simply don't understand" the law. Also, many shoppers don't understand that the law applies to businesses like sporting goods stores and hot dog stands.
This is something other cities mulling bag taxes will have to consider -- there will be a cost associated with enforcing the law, even if it's just aimed at educating retailers.