Jeffrey K. Lyles/The Gazette A discarded plastic bag along Muirkirk Road in Laurel is an example of the trash waste the Prince George’s County Council hopes to drastically reduce by backing state legislature’s plan to institute a 5-cent tax on bags.

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Momentum for a statewide 5-cent tax on disposable paper or plastic carryout bags sought by Prince George’s County officials was halted Wednesday when a General Assembly County Affairs Subcommittee vote put the proposal back on the shelf.

State retailers would be required to charge the tax under the Community Cleanup and Greening Act of 2012, cosponsored by Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Dist. 22) of University Park.

The bill is still in play and provides and opportunity to clean up communities and the environment, Pinsky wrote in a text message.

Montgomery County started its 5-cent bag tax program Jan. 1.

“Every time we have an issue or need to solve a problem, there are those who want to use taxes to fix it,” said Del. Carolyn Howard (D-Dist. 24) of Mitchellville, who voted against the proposal.

“We can’t tax our way out of problems. We have to be creative with some of the ways we solve these issues,” she said.

Howard said one option to require residents to use re-usable bags was to remove plastic bags from stores.

Howard said she had sent out a form letter to her constituents about the proposed tax, and estimated that out of 900 responses she received, an overwhelming amount were against the increase.

“I would guess about 700 to 800 were in opposition,” Howard said. “I know we can’t afford to damage the environment, but you can’t just tax everyone the same way. You have people with various income levels. A lot of them cannot afford it.”

Del. Jolene Ivey (D-Dist. 47) of Cheverly wrote in a text message she voted for the bill because it would decrease the use of plastic bags that litter the county. Ivey said delegates in favor of the bill would continue working toward passing it.

Dels. Barbara Frush (D-Dist. 22) and Justin Ross (D-Dist. 22) of Greenbelt also voted in favor of the proposal, while Del. James E. Proctor Jr. (D-Dist. 27A) of Accokeek voted against.

Del. Veronica Turner (D-Dist. 26) of Camp Springs was absent. The committee needs a constitutional majority to pass.

“When you go around the trash and see the roads, you see more McDonald’s and Wendy’s bags than you do a plastic grocery bag, and those people are being exempted out of the bill,” Proctor said. “A plastic bag is a plastic bag. ... I’ve gotten over 600 emails from residents who said they didn’t want the bag tax.”

Prince George’s County Council backed the proposal Tuesday in an 8-0 vote, with Councilwoman Karen Toles (D-Dist. 7) of Suitland abstaining because she wanted more information on the proposal.

Council members said they hoped the bill would help clean county roadways and better protect waterways, although some were concerned about the impact on fixed-income residents, specifically seniors.

“I believe really strongly that this is split evenly between pro-environment and pro-business,” said Councilwoman Mary Lehman (D-Dist. 1) of Laurel.

Toles said she would like to explore an incentive program to encourage residents to use reusable bags.

“Whole Foods and Giant gives money back for using bags,” Toles said. “I’m also curious what we can do for some people who might not have access to these bags.”

Fort Washington resident Mike Little said while he applauded the council’s effort to clean up the county, he is also concerned with the fee portion of the proposal.

“Given our economy, I’m concerned on the impact on those who can least afford it such as seniors who require public transportation to get around,” Little said. “Associating it with a tax is very short-sighted for getting rid of it.”

Councilman Will Campos (D-Dist. 2) of Hyattsville said the proposal isn’t a moneymaking plan, but rather an effort to get residents to change their behavior that has negative consequences to the environment.

“If the county gains the authority to design a program, we would make sure that it would ensure that there would be no adverse impact on the county’s fixed-income population,” Scott Peterson, spokesman for County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D), wrote in an email to The Gazette.

Peterson wrote there are numerous steps before a fee would be established, including drafting a county bill and conducting hearings, but it is an issue that should be addressed at the local level.

“Montgomery County already has a fee. There is no reason why Prince George’s County shouldn’t have the right to decide whether we want a fee as well,” Peterson wrote.