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Montana Governor Greg Gianforte rejected a law that largely prohibits styrofoam containers and dubbed it as “the textbook government has spread.”
House Building 477 will phase out container use by 2030, but will begin in 2028 in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Introduced by Democratic state Rep. Marilyn Mahler, the law has attracted several bipartisan support in the majority of Republican Congress.
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Styrofoam cup (Julie Schwietat Colazol / File)
“Our states should remain sanctuaries for freedom and free enterprise, and continue to be characterised by high taxes, high expenditures and hyperregulation as the hallmarks of deep blue progressive states,” Republicans wrote in his rejection letter, citing the way blue states like California and Washington imposed similar regulations.
“Frankly, I was surprised to receive House Bill 477 that directs restaurants, food facilities, bakeries, resorts, hotels, etc. to what cannot be used to package food and drinks,” he continued.
Advocates of the law argued that the material poses health and environmental risks, and according to KTVQ, many places have stopped using styrofoam.
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Montana Governor Greg Gian Forte (William Campbell/Getty Images/File)
The bill said polystyrene foam is a material that “causes environmental hazards and poses a threat to fish and wildlife. Styrofoam takes up space in landfills, contributing to the need for costly expansion supported by taxpayers.
Although the proposal included several exceptions, you will need to apply to use the form as it relates to “transportation, construction, health and safety.”
“Finally, if policymakers are trying to remove styrofoam, I’m not. Why are they targeting only restaurants and foodservice facilities? Why don’t they package packaging supplies?
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“States banning Styrofoam will cost governments,” Giamforte said, adding that taxpayers will spend an estimated $300,000 through the new Montana Environmental Quality Programme Division, and that if businesses are forced to switch, they can create additional costs for consumers.
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“The reason we enjoy hot coffee in our Styrofoam cups is because it’s getting hot. And this bill is a hot mess,” he said in a video posted on X on Monday.
Cameron Arcand is a political writer for Fox News Digital at Washington DC.
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