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They’re really gumming up the works.
Two New Jersey lawmakers have proposed that some gum eventually be banned in the Garden State — and outraged critics are chewing them out — calling the move “totally ridiculous” and declaring that “NJ government is losing their minds.”
The $3 million dollar Protecting Against Microplastics Act was introduced in September by Democratic state Assemblywomen Shama Haider and Margi Donlon — with the goal of banning products that contain intentionally added microplastics, including some chewing gum, tea bags, plastic cutlery and containers, cleaning products and cosmetics.
The proposal would require companies to add warning labels on their products that include “intentionally added synthetic polymer microparticles” for two years. After that period, any noncompliant goods would be banned from being sold in New Jersey.
“Beginning three years after the effective date of this act, no person shall sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale in the State any cleaning, cosmetic, or potentially ingestible products, if those products contain intentionally added microplastics,” the proposal states.
The plan comes at a hefty price.
“The bill would appropriate $2.5 million to the DEP for the purposes of implementing the source reduction program, conducting microplastics-related research, and monitoring and testing environmental media, such as air, water, and soil, for microplastics,” it explained.
Another $500,000 would be paid to the Department of Law and Public Safety, so the agency could enforce the label disclosures and ban.
The social media handle Teacher in NJ, run by an educator and mom from Ocean County, posted about the news on Instagram and Facebook and her feed was inundated with outraged commenters.
Many were appalled by the proposal in their state, which just enacted the “Skip the Stuff” law in August, banning restaurants from automatically supplying plastic utensils and condiment packets.
“Can they please spend time on s–t that will actually make a difference,” one person lamented.
“How about fix our healthcare system, lower taxes, stop the drones, stop the chemtrails and lower groceries instead of making laws and banning stupid stuff!” another added.
Some pointed out that other harmful products were visibly absent from the act — with comments such as, “How about banning processed food and food that is genetically modified?” and “Go after coffee pods too.”
Others slammed the Democrats behind the proposal as well as New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill.
“This is what Sherrill worries about? She has no concern for taxpayers!” one exclaimed.
“How do we ban @govsherrillnj ? Anyone?” someone else asked.
“Keep voting for liberals! One day they’re going to take away something you enjoy! one said.
“Democrats want to control everything except real crime or taxes,” another added.
“Leave us alone. Get a life, and stay out of ours.”