LINDA PENCE CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO HIGH GAS PRICES

[and-justice-for-all]

email from the Indiana Democratic Party.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wed., Sept. 17, 2008 Contact: Joel Miller (317)-750-5757 LINDA PENCE CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO HIGH GAS PRICES Hard-Working Hoosiers Deserve An Attorney General Who Will Advocate For Them Indianapolis, Ind.

Today, Linda Pence, candidate for Attorney General, held a press conference to call attention to the skyrocketing price of gas. In Indiana, the average price of gasoline hit $4.17, marking a sudden and across-the-board increase in the state. Indiana is paying higher prices than 44 other states, but no one is currently investigating why.

"When Hoosier families are wondering about the sudden and uniform increase, it is the responsibility of the Attorney General to look into the matter and demand an answer. The people of Indiana need someone who will advocate for their interests, and not roll over for Big Oil," said Linda Pence, candidate for Attorney General. Right now, the Attorney General's office touts a gas price-gouging hotline.

However, when a constituent called the number, the message merely stated: "Thank you for calling the gas-gouging line. We want to let you know that we can only pursue gas gouging complaints when the governor declares a state of emergency. The governor has not yet declared a state of emergency, but we want to go ahead and collect your information. Please remain on the line for a representative, and thank you."

Linda Pence knows the Attorney General should do more, and stated today that she would "take a more aggressive and vocal role to investigate price gouging, price fixing and potential anti-trust violations." Leaving an innocuous outgoing message is not action; it is not the solution or answer Hoosiers deserve. They deserve a person of action; not simply empty words and rhetoric. While at the U.S. Department of Justice, Pence fought oil companies over oil pricing. She has a history of standing up for honest, hardworking Hoosiers in the face of Big Oil and the special interests. She believes it is not the job of the Attorney General to make excuses; it is the job of the Attorney General not to turn a blind eye to Big Oil.

Rather in this situation, the Attorney General should actively investigate them with a robust, proactive agenda that will ensure consumers are protected. If Pence were attorney general today, she would launch a serious investigation into the pricing practices of gasoline in Indiana. She would publicly pursue complaints in order to deter oil companies from trying to reap more money at the expense of Hoosiers. She calls on the Attorney General's office to report to the people of Indiana what they have done to ensure that the Hoosiers are protected and not being treated differently than any other state in the country, and make known what--if any--lawsuits have been filed. "Price gouging is good for the oil companies, but bad for all of us. This is all happening at a time when the oil companies are reaping record profits, but Hoosiers are paying record prices at the pump," said Pence. #

[democraticinsurgent]

1. Good Move

Indianapolis is 20 cents higher than Columbus OH and who knows why?

Good issue and I would love to know the answer as to why.

[democraticinsurgent]

2. can you post on the Indiana Forum as well?

...it's way too quiet there. ;-)