Reverend Que English Joins Coalition Opposed to Grocery Bag Tax

NEW YORK, April 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Reverend Que English of the Bronx Christian Fellowship joined the growing coalition to oppose Intro 209, a proposed citywide grocery bag tax currently under consideration by the City Council.

Launched in November to protect low-income families and senior citizens from a minimum 10-cent fee per grocery bag, Reverend English joins a coalition that includes the Baptist Ministers' Conference, DC37, Teamsters Local 237, the Black Leadership Action Coalition, the Bodega Association, the Safety Net Project of the Urban Justice Center, the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council and the American Progressive Bag Alliance in opposing the regressive measure and promoting recycling education programs as an alternative.

In a letter to Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, the Reverend stated:

"While well intentioned, it is beyond question that the consequences of the bill will be borne by low-income families in communities of color. The state's minimum wage was increased this year from $8 to $8.75. For the average worker, this means an extra $6 per day. But rising daily living costs, principally rent and housing, will erode those gains. The struggle to keep vulnerable families, seniors and immigrants from slipping below the poverty line is won or lost in small amounts, 5 or 10 cents at a time. I ask that you chart a different course, and pursue legislation that brings sweeping environmental progress in a progressive way."

For more information, please visit www.BagtheTaxNYC.com.

Press Contact:
Corey Chambliss – (212) 704-4430
[email protected]

SOURCE American Progressive Bag Alliance

Related Links

http://www.bagthetaxnyc.com