Accessibility menu
State Representative Joyce Peppin
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7806
For more information contact:
NEWS RELEASE
Peppin to Introduce "Gas Pricing Protection Act"
ST. PAUL--State Representative Joyce Peppin, R-Rogers, hashas introduced legislation designed to provide relief to Minnesota consumers impacted by skyrocketing gasoline prices.
The bill, entitled, the "Gas Pricing Protection Act," would repeal a law passed in 2001 that adds up to eight cents per gallon at the pump. Existing law requires gas stations to sell gasoline at a price that is six percent higher (or up to 8 cents per gallon) above the wholesale cost. The price control is enforced by the Department of Commerce.
"My bill is simple: it’s pro-consumer, and at a time when gas prices are the highest in history, it is a small step to provide relief to Minnesota motorists," said Peppin.
"The state should be using its enforcement authority to ensure consumers are protected from unscrupulous companies trying to rip them off, not badgering gas stations trying to earn business and save motorists a few cents a gallon by lowering their pump prices," Peppin stated.
Peppin expects significant opposition to her Gas Pricing Protection Act from large oil companies currently profiting from record crude oil and gasoline prices and from retailers determined to protect market share and prevent more competitive gas pricing.
"Price controls generally are a bad idea. We don’t require hardware and grocery stores to sell hammers and apples at artificially inflated prices, and we shouldn’t be mandating an eight-cent increase in gas prices to manipulate the free market from working,"added Peppin.
Peppin’s bill specifically repeals Minnesota Statutes 325D.01, subdivisions 5, 11 and 12 and 325D.71, which define unlawful gasoline sales and provide the commissioner of commerce authority to investigate complaints of gas stations selling gas below cost.
News Items
- PEPPIN REPORT: FORECAST SHOWS THIRD CONSECUTIVE STATE SURPLUS - (Posted: 2012-12-06 00:00:00)
- A Look Ahead to the 2012 Legislative Session - (Posted: 2012-01-26 00:00:00)
- A Call to Caucus - (Posted: 2012-02-04 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.