Seattle bag fee appears headed for ballot

SEATTLE, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Seattle voters might have a chance to repeal the 20-cent bag fee the city wants grocery stores and other retailers to charge for paper and plastic bags.

The Seattle Times reported Friday that interests who want to repeal the law have submitted 22,252 signatures to the city this week so voters can weigh in on the fee.

To qualify for the ballot, 14,374 of the signatures must be verified by the King County Elections Divison, the newspaper reported.

"People should have the right to vote on it," said George Griffin, a spokesman for the Coalition to Stop the Seattle Bag Tax, which gathered the signatures.

The coalition was organized by the American Chemistry Council and the Washington Food Industry, a trade association that represents independent grocers.

The 20-cent fee is set to go into effect Jan. 1. The City Council approved the fee last month.

The legal counsel for Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels said it is likely measure will qualify for the ballot.

"I think this is going to be an opportunity to have a real public discussion on this," Regina LaBelle said.