Posted on 08/30/2005 8:09:49 AM PDT by Rakkasan1
As rising gasoline prices continue to shock drivers across the country, one small chain of Minnesota gas stations is challenging a state law that requires sellers to charge consumers a minimum price.
Midwest Oil of Minnesota filed suit Monday in Ramsey County District Court, arguing the law is unconstitutional and hinders competition. In June, the state Commerce Department accused Midwest Oil of selling, offering or advertising gas below the state minimum on more than 160 occasions.
Minnesota law prohibits retailers from engaging in unfair discrimination and competition by selling, offering or advertising gasoline below cost. State officials ordered Midwest Oil to stop selling below cost and to respond to the allegations. The case has been moving through the state's administrative court system.
Midwest Oil could face as much as $1.6 million in civil fines if an administrative judge finds the company violated the law.
(Excerpt) Read more at twincities.com ...
I wonder why most states haven't simply lowered the GAS TAX in order to keep prices from going through the roof? Silly me... that would be too nice of them.
gubmint never does without, only the populace does.
Minnesota law prohibits retailers from engaging in unfair discrimination and competition by selling, offering or advertising gasoline below cost.
I don't know too much about this story besides what is in the blurb (I don't want to register), but selling things below cost is one practice companies go for when trying to establish or maintain a monopoly.
Stuff like this makes me wonder about the wisdom of such a promise.
I'd find out a way to avoid keeping that promise.The only reason I'm still here is the Chief of Procurement's fam.
Can't. Not sure I even want to. Texas hasn't proven any better. Same thieves in the Legislature, more heat and mosquitos.
If a gas station charges more than others - that's 'gouging'.
If a gas station charges less than others - that's 'unfair competition'.
If a gas station charges the same as others - that's 'price-fixing'.
The Government lawyers certainly have an ingenious, if unspeakably perverse, talent for crushing the people in the manner of a boa constrictor squeezing a goat.
Abacadabra,thus we learn The more you create,the less you earn. The less you earn,the more you're given,the less you lead,the more you're driven,The more destroyed,the more they feed,The more you pay,the more they need,The more you earn,the less you keep,And now I lay me down to sleep.I pray the Lord my soul to take,If the tax-collector hasn't got it before I wake. -Ogden Nash
"My wife made me promise last night that we would move back to MN so we could be close to the rest of our family."
My family also lives in that police state. I left it in 1983 and only go back for short visits and funerals. Unless political thinking in the frozen state drastically changes, I'll never move back.
Maybe I'll get a chance to put a favorite maxim to the test: Great men don't "move to the center" -- great men MOVE the center!
I've never considered myself to be a "great man", but then again... who knows?
"I wonder why most states haven't simply lowered the GAS TAX in order to keep prices from going through the roof? Silly me... that would be too nice of them"
Prices are high for several reasons, basically demand is up. Lowering the price (by tossing the gas tax) is only going to drive demand higher and with it prices. The way to lower price is to increase supply. We *need* more refineries.
This law was actually designed to prevent the big gas station chains from under-pricing the little guy and forcing him out of bidness. They never figured it would be a little guy who wanted to cut prices to attract more bidness I guess.
actually, gubmint types call it "collusion" , I think.
Louisiana has the same sort of law. It was up for revision just recently, but I don't believe that effort has made any progress yet.
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