When the D.C. Council passed the five-cent bag tax last year, it was hailed as a bold environmental move, part of a new era of progressive politics in the District. Now the California state Assembly has passed “a bill that would ban single-use plastic grocery bags — the first of its kind in the nation, according to lawmakers and environmentalists,” the Los Angeles Times reports. “Shoppers would have to bring reusable bags to the store or pay at least 5 cents each for recycled paper bags at the checkout counter.” If the Golden State’s senators OK the legislation, which is anticipated, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has pledged to sign it. Think the D.C. Council should follow California’s lead?