“The plastic bags are NOT sold, a tax is collected if a customer wants one. Therefore SNAP and WIC purchases are exempt because the purchase is paid fro by the state and the state doesn’t pay tax to itself.”
The City is calling it a fee not a tax, and according to the NY Post the vendor gets to keep 40% of fees they collect. At the very least SNAP and WIC should be responsible for the vendors portion. In any event, why are the poor absolved of any responsibilities when it comes to protecting the environment?