(Phoenix, Ariz. - April 25, 2006) Responding to the sharp runup in gas prices, Attorney General Terry Goddard today called again for a state law to criminalize price gouging and criticized a Bush administration letter for attempting to pass the buck.
"Today's high gas prices are a national issue needing federal action, which has been sorely lacking," Goddard said.
"The federal government has the investigative resources and the legal authority to hold the oil industry accountable. The letter is a shameless attempt to shift that responsibility to the states. I've repeatedly asked for federal action against high gas prices, but the FTC and Department of Justice have done next to nothing. In fact, FTC Chairman Majoras told Congress last fall that $8-a-gallon gas was OK and would show that the market was working."
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