Sorry about my last post - at times my computer sends things prematurely.  

Thanks to everyone who posted on this issue and I have to agree that I think it is a fabulous idea.  I was convinced after participating in a stream clean up in Gwynns Falls Park and spent 4 hours picking up plastic bags.  The quantity of them there stuck in the rocks and in anti-erosion fencing holding rocks in place was astounding.  

Carrol mentioned the fact that animals rummage through bags.  The other thing that I have heard happen is that marine animals mistake bags for food and eat them, causing stomach blockages and a painful slow death.  Anything that can be done to get rid of plastic bags is great and if it helps solve budget woes all the better.  As stated by a previous poster, if I don't want to pay I bring my own bag.  We have a choice.  I believe a similar (although more expensive) fee on bags in either Australia or Ireland really reduced use of plastic bags significantly.  

If anyone wants to see the impact plastic (not just bags) has on birds, I highly recommend  watching the Terra:  The nature of our world podcasts numbers 456 - 459 entitled "The Flying Dustbin".   It is about the impact plastic/s have specifically had on Northern Fulmars.  Very high quality and very educational.  If you don't do I-Tunes I think you can watch it online:
http://www.lifeonterra.com, click on archives, the type "flying dustbin" into the search terms and it comes up.  They also have lots of other great nature videos out there besides this one. 

If you're more into hip-hop, check this video out on the topic of bags: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koETnR0NgLY.  Good fun.   

W. Olsson
Baltimore, MD