LANSING, Mich., March 12, 2020 — State Reps. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) and Mike Mueller introduced a bipartisan package of bills today to eliminate price gouging during declared states of emergencies and weather emergencies. House Bills 5669-5671 would empower Michigan’s Attorney General and local prosecutors the ability to levy fines on retailers and operators engaged in price gouging.

“There is nothing more sickening than those that look upon our neighbors as they suffer but only see another way to make a quick profit,” said Pohutsky. “No one should be put in the impossible position of being deprived of the basic essentials they need to survive during their darkest hours because of unconscionable price gouging. It should not have taken a global pandemic to spur us to action, but we can no longer afford to wait.”

Pohutsky’s package would address pricing gouging across several different industries including energy like gas and propane, commodities like water, canned goods and hygiene products, and hotels for those needing emergency shelter or accommodations.

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