Mayor defers action on bag ban

PORTLAND – Portland Mayor Sam Adams has agreed to delay an effort to get his city to ban plastic grocery bags in order to give the Oregon Legislature time to pass a statewide version.

At a recent rally, Adams said he would champion a city ban.

But after a meeting this week with state legislators, Adams has agreed to back off for a year. The delay will allow state Sen. Mark Hass, D-Beaverton, to push for a statewide ban that’s won support from some Republicans and Democrats and rural and urban legislators. Hass told the mayor that a statewide ban would be more effective.

Adams plans to offer a resolution to the City Council that supports a statewide ban but allows the city to pursue its own measure if the Legislature doesn’t act in its 2011 session.