Patricia Doxsey is reporting for the Daily Freeman the Ulster County Legislature’s Environment and Energy Committee has delayed action on a measure that could make plastic straws optional at restaurants throughout the county. The committee postponed moving the proposed law forward to the full Legislature after changes to the measure were suggested. As proposed, the law would require all restaurants to ask customers if they want a plastic straw as well as inform patrons of the requirement by posting signs that read “Single-Use Straw Available on Request.” The law would carry a $25 fine for the first offense, a $50 fine for the second and a $100 fine for the third. Supporters of the law say it would give restaurants a push to reduce the amount of waste they generate. “It’s sort of getting people to start thinking a little more about what they’re taking that they aren’t using and just end up throwing away,” said Legislator David Donaldson, Democrat of Kingston. Some committee members expressed concern about the impact on businesses, particularly those that operate drive-up windows and those that offer straws to customers on a self-serve basis. The committee may revisit the measure at its meeting later this month. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.