Legislation that attempts to reduce the number of single-use plastic straws in Connecticut has cleared a key legislative hurdle.
The Environment Committee on Monday voted 22-6 in favor of a bill preventing full-service restaurants from providing the straws unless they're requested by a customer. The bill was changed to make it clear people with disabilities could still obtain a straw to drink.
The bill awaits further action in the state House.
Democratic Rep. Mary Mushinsky, of Wallingford, says lawmakers will eventually have to address fast-food restaurants. She says "take-out straws are really the offender," noting how she often finds straws and plastic lids during a local river clean-up.
The committee also voted 20-8 in favor of legislation barring schools from using plastic foam trays. That bill now awaits Senate action.
