Arlington asks for federal bag tax

After failing to win support in the Virginia General Assembly for a new tax on grocery bags, Arlington County officials have turned to Capitol Hill. Arlington is seeking a 5-cent tax on paper and plastic bags that could affect retailers nationwide.

Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., who fought unsuccessfully for the Plastic Bag Reduction Act in 2010, plans to reintroduce similar legislation on April 22, or Earth Day, a spokeswoman said.