News from the trail:
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rep. Marc Corriveau
Monday, September 15, 2008 Phone: (734) 635-9113
Corriveau Calls for Change to Protect Residents From Gas Gouging
PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP – State Representative Marc Corriveau (D-Northville) today called for change to increase protections for residents who are victims of gas gouging.
"With our working families already struggling to make ends meet, it’s outrageous that gas stations would take advantage of a bad situation to pad their profits,” Corriveau said. “While most gas stations in our area acted responsibly and chose to maintain their prices, there are reports of others that hiked their prices by a ridiculous margin. I will fight for change to ensure that our residents are protected from unscrupulous retailers who engage in gas gouging.”
Gas stations across the state hiked gas prices Friday afternoon to profit from Hurricane Ike. Gasoline prices were $3.86 a gallon in Metro Detroit to start the day, according to GasBuddy.com. By 5:30 p.m., regular unleaded prices were approaching $6 a gallon in some areas of the state.
“In these tough times we must protect our residents from being taken advantage of or scammed,” Corriveau said. “I will fight to boost consumer protections in Michigan to ensure that our residents do not fall victim to predatory practices.”
To report gas gouging in your area, call the Michigan consumer protection hotline at (877) 765-8388 or go to www.michigan.gov/homeland.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rep. Marc Corriveau
Monday, July 7, 2008 Phone: (734) 635-9113
Corriveau Calls for Action Now to Provide Relief at the Pump Plan will encourage production of alternative fuels, jumpstart economy
PLYMOUTH – As gas prices soared over the holiday weekend, State Representative Marc Corriveau (D-Northville) today called on the State Senate to take action on a plan that will bring motorists the relief they need by encouraging alternative fuel production in Michigan, which will decrease our dependence on foreign oil, create good-paying jobs and jumpstart our economy. Corriveau also called on the U.S. Congress to take action at the federal level.
“With their paychecks being pumped straight into their gas tanks, our working families have less money to spend in our local businesses,” Corriveau said. “Our three largest industries – manufacturing, agriculture and tourism – support tens of thousands of jobs, and they all rely on affordable fuel prices. I’m working to turn Michigan’s economy around by fighting for change to move Michigan forward, and that’s what this plan does.”
Corriveau is calling for action on a bipartisan plan passed by the House that will:
- Promote insurance discounts for residents who buy hybrid vehicles.
- Provide tax incentives for machines used to harvest biomass.
- Create the Alternative Fuels Fund, which will provide incentives to retailers who sell renewable fuels and award grants to producers of alternative fuels.
- Expand the role of the Renewable Fuels Commission, which develops strategies for increasing the use and production of alternative fuels in Michigan.
Gas prices have skyrocketed in recent weeks, with new record highs being set day after day. The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular unleaded gas in Michigan last month was $4.11, according to AAA Michigan. That compares to $3.22 a gallon in June 2007 – a 28 percent increase.
“As the cost of gas continues to climb our working families’ budgets are being stretched to the breaking point,” Corriveau said. “No one should have to choose between filling their gas tank to get to work or take the kids to school and putting food on the table. Our residents need relief, and they need it now.”
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