ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) - New figures show that officials collected $154,000 from Montgomery County's 5-cent bag tax during the first month it was implemented.

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The Washington Post (http://wapo.st/wYN9Qk) reported the amount based on data it was provided by the county.

Officials in Montgomery County had expected the tax to generate about $1.2 million a year.

Officials are also expecting stores to distribute more than 36 million bags this year.

If the January rate continues, the county would make $1.8 million in 2012, but bag use is expected to drop over time.

The bag tax modeled after the one that took effect in the nation's capital in 2010.

However, Montgomery's law applies to nearly all stores, not just those that sell food.

Information from: http://www.washingtonpost.com