Earlier this week, National Taxpayers Union (NTU) joined the John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy, the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, Americans for Tax Reform, and the Jeffersonian Project, an affiliate of the American Legislative Exchange Council, in urging the Wisconsin State Legislature to eliminate the state’s ill conceived Unfair Sales Act/Minimum Markup (SB 371/AB 452).
The Unfair Sales Act unnecessarily increases costs of certain items by placing a price floor below them and empowers bureaucrats to enforce government-mandated prices. It’s well past time to eliminate the Unfair Sales Act/Minimum Markup. By passing SB 371 or AB 452, the Wisconsin State Legislature could score a significant victory for Badger State consumers.
A copy of the letter can be found here:
Dear Majority Leader Fitzgerald and Speaker Vos, We write to you today to encourage a public hearing be held on SB371/AB452, the legislation that would repeal the state's Unfair Sales Act / Minimum Markup.
While some industries and interest groups have argued the law is necessary to protect their business models, others have argued that price setting and market manipulation should not be the job of the State. One thing that cannot be denied: This is a significant issue that deserves a robust public debate in the legislature. According to a recent survey conducted by the reputable research firm Public Opinion Strategies, the Vukmir/Ott bills are supported by 76% of the public. While Republicans and Democrats agree on few issues in today’s polarized political environment, they reach a consensus across party and ideological lines on this issue. In every demographic cross section of the Public Opinion Strategies' Poll, a majority of those surveyed favor repealing the law. There are many reasons why people are growing more and more frustrated with government. Being ignored is near the top of the list. Clearly, this issue impacts all of Wisconsin and is one that Wisconsin’s citizens would like to see discussed. We understand the chairs of the committees to which the bills have been assigned have decided not to hold a public hearing this session. We respectfully request the bills be reassigned to committees that are chaired by legislators who are more willing to hear from the general citizenry on this important matter of public policy. The public would benefit from a public hearing, this month, on the Vukmir/Ott bills to repeal the Unfair Sales Act / Minimum Markup. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Brett HealyPresidentThe John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy Patrick M. GleasonDirector of State AffairsAmericans for Tax Reform Rick EsenbergPresident & General CounselWisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty Clark PackardPolicy and Government Affairs ManagerNational Taxpayers Union Lisa B. NelsonCEO of the Jeffersonian Project |