In a new statewide ad, Dem gubernatorial candidate David Crowley says he will repeal a 1939 law setting a price floor for gasoline and diesel.
The 30-second spot takes aim at the Minimum Markup Law, a Great Depression-era policy that imposed a 9.18% markup on motor fuel sales to protect mom- and-pop gas stations from predatory pricing by larger competitors.
“I’m here to talk about the two reasons Wisconsin’s running on empty,” Crowley tells viewers from the screen of a gasoline pump.
“We all know the first one,” the Milwaukee County executive says as a graphic of President Donald Trump with “IRAN YOUR GAS PRICES UP” appears.
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The second, Crowley says, is the Minimum Markup Law, which “makes Big Oil take fatter profits here than anywhere else,” to the tune of 40 cents a gallon.
“As governor, I’ll stop it,” he says. “Now that’s something we can all get pumped about.”
In a press release, Crowley’s campaign said he’ll work with the Legislature to repeal the fuel markup and impose anti-predatory protections, making it unlawful for motor fuel retailers with more than 50 locations to sell fuel below documented wholesale costs.
The release also said Crowley will strengthen DATCAP’s authority to investigate predatory pricing complaints from independent fuel retailers so the agency can respond to complaints faster.
