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Although the Seattle City Council has approved a 20-cent fee on all disposable shopping bags, the Washington Food Industry is attempting to give its consumers a choice with a referendum that could put the issue to a public vote.

"We agree with the City Council on the environmental goal, but we think that they should not place new taxes on family grocery bills," said Jan Gee, president of the Washington Food Industry.

Gee and the Washington Food Industry previously approached the Seattle City Council with alternatives to a fee on shopping bags. They pledged that their stores would provide customers with a financial incentive of at least five cents for each reusable bag they brought to stores. The group also offered to prominently display affordable, reusable shopping bags and recycle bag stations in their stores.