Paper companies can stop paying a marketing tax, for now

The US Department of Agriculture has paused collecting a special fee from paper and paper-based packaging manufacturers. This fee funded a national program to promote paper products and research new uses for them.

For years, paper companies paid into a fund to promote their own products. Now, they get to keep that money, at least until a vote decides if the program continues. This means less money for generic paper marketing and research, and more cash on hand for individual companies.