Virginia

TexasTowelie

(116,491 posts) Mon Feb 22, 2021, 12:26 AM Feb 2021

Virginia lawmakers ban release of nonbiodegradable balloons

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia lawmakers approved legislation Thursday that would ban the intentional release of all nonbiodegradable balloons and slap offenders with a civil fine of $25 per balloon.

The legislation was backed by environmentalists and residents who live along the state’s shoreline and regularly complain about litter from foil and latex balloons on beaches and the potential harm to marine animals by ingesting balloon remnants.

The Senate gave its approval to a House bill sponsored by Del. Nancy Guy, D-Virginia Beach, but not before some Republican senators questioned whether it went too far by prohibiting the outdoor release of even a single balloon.

Sen. Bill Stanley said the bill is an example of “trying to control the behavior of every human being” and asked if police would be “hiding around the bouncy house” waiting to nab people who release balloons.

Read more: https://fredericksburg.com/news/state-and-regional/virginia-lawmakers-ban-release-of-nonbiodegradable-balloons/article_056d91f9-2ec4-5d3c-8980-d2208f2f4a47.html
(Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)

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Virginia lawmakers ban release of nonbiodegradable balloons (Original Post) TexasTowelie Feb 2021 OP

Its fuckin' littering...that's all it is, period... ret5hd Feb 2021 #1

America's latest biohazard are the disposable face masks. TexasTowelie Feb 2021 #3

Some behaviors should be controlled. TreasonousBastard Feb 2021 #2

If it's not litter, then you won't mind it in your front yard. ret5hd Feb 2021 #4

ret5hd

(21,320 posts)

1. Its fuckin' littering...that's all it is, period...

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Mon Feb 22, 2021, 12:57 AM

Feb 2021

it is no more about “trying to control the behavior of every human being” than fining someone for throwing their household garbage out of a moving vehicle.

TexasTowelie

(116,491 posts)

3. America's latest biohazard are the disposable face masks.

Reply to ret5hd (Reply #1)

Mon Feb 22, 2021, 01:32 AM

Feb 2021

It's difficult to believe that so many people can't find a trash can to dispose of those things properly. I don't get out as much since I'm in a wheelchair, but every time I go to the convenience or grocery store I see at least one mask lying on the ground.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)

2. Some behaviors should be controlled.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Mon Feb 22, 2021, 01:00 AM

Feb 2021

ret5hd

(21,320 posts)

4. If it's not litter, then you won't mind it in your front yard.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Mon Feb 22, 2021, 09:54 AM

Feb 2021

I am NOT suggesting that "environmentalists and residents who live along the state’s shoreline" collect these items and deliver them on a daily basis to the front yard of Sen. Bill Stanley. I would never suggest that! He would enjoy too much the once shiny but now dirty remnants of mylar balloons emblazoned with "BEST MOM", or "It's A Boy!" or "10 Years Old!"

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