High gas prices are renewing calls to repeal Wisconsin's minimum markup law.
The Governor is being called on to order a special session of the Legislature to get rid of a law that stops gas stations from selling at or below cost. State Representative Bill Kramer, one of the lawmakers making the request, says the state needs to do whatever it can to help consumers fight rising prices.
Governor Jim Doyle is a long time supporter of getting rid of the law. However, he has no plans to call in lawmakers to take it up. That's because past attempts to repeal minimum mark-up have failed to advance in the Legislature. Doyle says he'd only consider calling for a special session if Legislative leaders can guarantee it has the support it needs to pass.
The Governor also doubts that ending minimum mark-up would result in big savings for consumers. A study from the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute estimates minimum markup is costing Wisconsin motorists an extra $278 million a year, when compared to states that don't have the requirement.
