"Local governments are expending hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayers’ money to help solve the e-waste problem. And while manufacturers and retailers of electronics devices continue to disagree about the best solution, local government continues to shoulder the financial burden. And yes, we (Kalamazoo County government) are spending tax dollars to do this. So when we hear retailers are opposing an ARF-based financing scheme, we find it ironic that the main tactic is to label the fee as a new tax. Call it what you want, we view an ARF as a reallocation of resources that would allow local government to recoup some of its costs for e-waste recycling and free up tax dollars to deal with other pressing issues such as methamphetamines. Local government is a willing partner and important part of any solution to e-waste recycling, but we would like to be compensated for our effort"

Meta-Actor: Government

Source Document: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/051118comments-dewhirst.pdf

Date: October 21, 2005