Increased Fines for Litterbugs

The Wisconsin legislature considers a bill that would double fines for people caught littering.  Increasing the fine from 500 to one thousand bucks doesn’t bother LaCrosse county sustainability coordinator Nick Nichols.  But, he feels the deterrent only works up to a point.   He isn’t sure the laws have changed behavior.  Instead, Nick believes most of the public has adopted the ethic that littering is wrong and that people need to take responsibility for their own actions. The assembly has already passed the litter fine increase.  The senate is scheduled to vote on the bill today.