David Lombardo is reporting at Capitol Confidential Gov. Andrew Cuomo is proposing a statewide ban on the plastic bags used by grocery stores and many retailers. “The blight of plastic bags takes a devastating toll on our streets, our water and our natural resources, and we need to take action to protect our environment,” Cuomo said in a statement April 23. In January, the New York State Plastic Bags Task Force issued a report on the environmental impact of plastic bags and proposed steps the state could take to reduce the potential harm to the environment, including banning single-use plastic bags. According to the report, New Yorkers use about 23 billion bags every year, with the vast majority ending up in landfills. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.