Senator Pappageorge’s statement is as follows:
I want my colleagues to know that I am fully in support of this package of bills. The purpose of the “no” vote explanation is to remind folks that when we are done with these seven bills, this is just the beginning. We created two rows of counties where there will be difficulty turning in purported 10-cent cans. That doesn’t mean that it is a wall. Those truckloads of cans that have been coming into Michigan will continue to do so, and those trucks aren’t going to turn around. What they will do instead is they will drive another 45 minutes or so to the next county: Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Livingston, Oakland, and Macomb. Particularly, in my district which straddles I-75, a whole bunch of trucks will be coming into Oakland County. This is a good first step, but we need to make sure that all of Michigan, all the storeowners in Michigan, are properly protected from fraud. Again, I applaud the sponsors of these seven bills, but I remind all of you that we are not done.