ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland's Senate has voted to make the state the first in the nation to ban foam containers for food and drink to fight pollution.
The Senate voted 34-13 on Tuesday for the measure. It now goes to the House of Delegates.
Sen. Cheryl Kagan, a Democrat who's sponsoring the bill, says more than half of the state's residents already live in places where foam containers are banned for food and drink containers. She says a statewide ban would be a step forward in fighting pollution and helping to clean the Chesapeake Bay.
But opponents say the bill only covers a small amount of foam material, and will hurt small businesses.
Sen. Justin Ready, a Republican, says it's an unnecessary burden that won't do anything for the environment.
