Why Gas Costs So Much in Md.

That is the subject of a letter to the editor published in the May 1, 2005, Washington Post. The author, Thomas A. Firey, asserts that Maryland gasoline prices are kept artificially high as a result of legislation aimed at restricting price competition that was passed in 2001 by the Maryland General Assembly. [Letter]

The May 6, 2005, Post has a followup story by Justin Blum about the legislation and about how Maryland regulators recently forced some southern Maryland gas stations to raise their prices. [Post story] [also on MSNBC]

All Prince George's County delegates and senators (except Sen. Gloria Lawlah) voted for higher gas prices! Current members who voted for this law include:

Senators:

• John A. Giannetti, Jr. (D-21), then a delegate and a co-sponsor
• Paul G. Pinsky (D-22)
• Leo E. Green (D-23)
• Nathaniel Exum (D-24), co-sponsor--
• Ulysses Currie (D-25)
• Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. (D-27)

Delegates:

• Barbara A. Frush (D-21)
• Pauline H. Menes (D-21)
• Brian R. Moe (D-21)
• Anne Healey (D22)
• Mary A. Conroy (D-23A)
• James W. Hubbard (D-23A)
• Joanne C. Benson (D-24)
• Carolyn J. B. Howard (D-24)
• Anthony G. Brown-(D-25)
• Dereck E. Davis (D-25)
• Melony G. Griffith (D-25)
• Obie Patterson (D-26)
• James E. Proctor, Jr. (D-27A)
• Joseph F. Vallario, Jr. (D-27A)
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