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Did Wisconsin congressional candidate Tony Wied lobby to raise gasoline prices?

Wednesday, August 28, 2024
By Tom Kertscher
NO

Republican Tony Wied didn't lobby to raise gasoline prices. His association opposed a bill that might have lowered gas prices short term.

Democrat Kristin Lyerly made the lobbying claim Aug. 23, 2024.

Both are running for a Green Bay, Wisconsin-area U.S. House seat in the Nov. 5 election.

Lyerly’s campaign noted Wied, a former gas station owner, was a board member of what used to be known as the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association.

In 2019, the association lobbied against a bill that would have repealed Wisconsin’s Unfair Sales Act, also known as the minimum markup law.

Wied was not among the association’s registered lobbyists on the bill, which didn't become law.

The minimum markup law prohibits selling items, including gasoline, below cost, which the law says prevents unfair competition. It requires a minimum markup of 9.18% on gas.

Some conservatives argue the law artificially raises prices.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Wisconsin Legislature 2019 Senate BILL 51
Wisconsin Legislature Senate Bill 51
Wisconsin Legislature Unfair Sales Act
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Unfair Sales Act
Wisconsin Legislative Council State and Federal Gas Taxation and Regulation
Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty Time to Repeal Minimum Markup Law
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Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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