[tfecw]

So what's the idea behind these laws? Is it to keep the prices artificially high so the state can get more bang for it's 2% gas tax? Or is it part of some anti-competition thingy?

[tfecw]

Actually..I realize they *say* it's to promote competition, but i thought the practice used in the article (of a large company using other products to subsidize a product, undercutting the competition) was already against the law.

ugh...I'm having an extra hard time getting the thoughts out of my head today ;)

All i'm trying to say is I thought jacking a price on shampoo and using the extra money to lower the price on medicine for the purpose of running all the mom and pop pharmacies out of business was already illegal.

So my original question is why is there a special gas rule? Does the MN state legislator set all the min prices on all products?

[george76]

Some of the DUmmies believe that high gas prices will keep us from driving trucks, suvs, etc.

Which will then will stop global warming.

[JeffersonRepublic.com]

"Or is it part of some anti-competition thingy?"

It's a sneaky way to subsidizes the oil companies without making the politicians look like crooks for taking their "campaign contributions".

[PsyOp]

...so the state can get more bang for it's 2% gas tax? Or is it part of some anti-competition thingy?

Probably both.

[The Old Hoosier]

It's anti-competition -- the state collects by the gallon.