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Wal-Mart Supports Higher Wisconsin Gas Tax

But Only If Wisconsin Repeals Its Minimum Markup Law For Gasoline Purchases

By
Wal-Mart
Morry Gash/AP Photo

Another member of the business community said it would support increasing Wisconsin’s gas tax, but only if the state’s minimum markup law is repealed for gasoline purchases.

Wal-Mart was one of several businesses that helped kill a proposed fee on heavy trucks supported by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester. Vos responded by asking members of the group to offer their own solutions to the transportation budget standoff.

Wal-Mart said it would support raising the gas tax by up to five cents per gallon, but only if lawmakers repeal the minimum markup law for gasoline.

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The minimum markup or Unfair Sales Act is a Depression-era law preventing retailers from selling their products below cost in Wisconsin. Big retailers like Wal-Mart have long pushed for its repeal, while smaller retailers have fought those efforts.

Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce also said last week its board supports a five cent increase to the gas tax, but WMC told Vos that with Gov. Scott Walker and state Senate Republicans opposed to the idea, it was a political non-starter.

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