plastic

A pair of bills aimed at reducing the number of takeout containers thrown away in Oregon are headed to Gov. Tina Kotek.

While Missoula and Bozeman are perfectly suited to let voters consider local measures, including the regulation of single-use plastics, a bill passed by the Legislature in 2021 gives more power to lawmakers from the likes of Circle and Malta – both located hundreds of miles away – than it does to municipal voters grappling with local issues.

Before the session ends, they are working with Representative Marilyn Marler from Missoula for state action on plastics in this session.

Led by several from Missoula and Bozeman, Montanans testified in favor of a bill to reverse a law passed two years ago that prohibits cities and towns from taking individual action to limit single-use plastics.

With overwhelming public support, members of the Missoula City Council on Monday gave final approval to a resolution urging the state Legislature to hand back local control on a number of issues, including a community's authority to regulate plastic.

The Missoula City Council on Wednesday became the first in what's expected to be many Montana cities asking the Legislature to restore local control to communities – a right that was lost with a sweeping bill passed two years ago.