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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In 2019, the association lobbied against a bill that would have repealed Wisconsin’s Unfair Sales Act, also known as the minimum markup law.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
Civic Media Podcasts: Talking the talk, walking the walk, doing the work.(Hour 2)
Wisconsin Watch: Did Wisconsin candidate Tony Wied fail to repay $300,000 loan?
Google Docs: Tony Wied LinkedIn bio
Wisconsin Ethics Commission: Wisconsin Fuel & Retail Association (formerly WI Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association)
Wisconsin Legislature: 2019 Senate BILL 51
Wisconsin Legislature: Senate Bill 51
Wisconsin Ethics Commission: Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association
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
badgerinstitute.org: Minimum Markup: The Price is Not Right
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