Out-of-state interests working to defeat a bill to ban plastic bags were among the top spenders on lobbying to influence California legislators' votes this summer.
South Carolina-based plastic bag manufacturer, Hilex Poly Co., was the state's second-biggest spender, paying about $1.08 million for lobbying activities between July 1 and Sept. 30. Number four on the list was the Virginia-based American Chemistry Council, of which Hilex is a member.
Both Hilex and the council joined forces in a furious effort to defeat a bill that would have made California the first state to ban plastic grocery carry-out bags. Together, the council and Hilex invested more than $2 million in lobbying just as legislators were ending their session this year on Aug. 31.
The plastic-bag bill fell short of enough votes in the state Senate the last night of the session.
Read the full story at sacbee.com.
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