Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Wisconsin Gas Station Forced to Raise Gas Price

This is absolutely pathetic.

A service station that offered discounted gas to senior citizens and people supporting youth sports has been ordered by the state to raise its prices. Center City BP owner Raj Bhandari has been offering senior citizens a 2 cent per gallon price break and discount cards that let sports boosters pay 3 cents less per gallon.

But the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says those deals are too good: They violate Wisconsin’s Unfair Sales Act, which requires stations to sell gas for about 9.2 percent more than the wholesale price.

Bhandari said he received a letter from the state auditor in late April saying the state would sue him if he did not raise his prices. The state could penalize him for each discounted gallon he sold, with the fine determined by a judge.

In Wisconsin, we already have one of the highest gas taxes in the nation which inflates the price that consumers pay for gas.  On top of that we also have a state law that requires that gas stations increase prices at least another 9.2%. 

Can we repeal the minimum markup law now?  Please?  Where is the leadership for consumers on this?

(8) Comments
Posted by Owen at 1952 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. This law is so outdated and not needed anymore.  In the smalled towns and even counties, all the gas prices are the same- you can’t go anywhere to get a lower price.  Even if you have very little overhead- like no store or cashiers, you still have to charge the same price- how sweet is that?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 08, 2007 at 2259 hrs


  2. There is NO….ZERO….ZIP….NADA love for “consumers” in Madistan.

    The State’s Interests, or the Voters’ Interests (not necessarily the same at all times) are a distinct second to Re-Election Interest and Special Interest Interest (mostly the same at all times.)

    What the Hell are you smoking to imply that OUR interests matter?

    Posted by dad29 on May 09, 2007 at 0823 hrs


  3. If you live in Milwaukee Co there are places you can go to get a cheaper gas price. Like Waukesha.

    Posted by Matt on May 09, 2007 at 0859 hrs


  4. I water ski from time to time in Missouri (as well as have a boat here in Wisconsin). Do you know that in Missouri one gets an annual tax REBATE on marine gas as there is NO ROAD USE TAX on water…that’s logical. And BTW, Missouri has real gas at .59/gallon cheaper than here. There I go again, confusing logic with Wistaxsin.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 09, 2007 at 1253 hrs


  5. If you live in Milwaukee Co there are places you can go to get a cheaper gas price.

    Try Dave’s at 46th and Lisbon.

    Posted by triticale on May 09, 2007 at 1414 hrs


  6. Anywhere north of Washington County and South of Price County will save you $0.14/gallon, in summer, yet is $0.09/gallon more in winter. This is for real gas unless marked at the pump. Kwik-Trip and Mobile tend to have ethanol.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 09, 2007 at 1439 hrs


  7. Heh. You know when Uppity Wisconsin says the exact same thing about this tax as Boots and Sabers, it’s pretty damn bad… wink

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 09, 2007 at 2041 hrs


  8. It made national news.  Aren’t you so proud of Diamond Jim and his flunkies?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 09, 2007 at 2131 hrs


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