California lawmakers have rejected a bill seeking to ban plastic shopping bags after a contentious debate over whether the state was going too far in trying to regulate personal choice, the Associated Press reports. The Democratic bill, which failed late Tuesday, would have been the first statewide ban, although a few California cities already prohibit their use.

Supporters of the bill said it would be good for the environment while opponents claimed the measure would be bad for the economy. The bill's author isn't giving up. "It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when consumers bring their own bags and become good stewards of the environment," said Democratic Assemblywoman Julia Brownley the AP reported today.