AG King hails arrest of gas retailer for "price-gouging"

(B'ham News) MONTGOMERY - An Aliceville gasoline dealer has been arrested on charges of price gouging in the days after Hurricane Katrina.

Jason McBride was arrested Wednesday in Sumter County on a charge of violating the Alabama Unconscionable Pricing Act. McBride was released on bond, and an arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday.

Efforts to reach Sumter County District Attorney Gregory Griggers for comment were unsuccessful. Griggers told a Sumter County newspaper that it was believed McBride was charging $3.69 a gallon for regular grade gasoline at his Livingston station while other stations in the area were charging $2.49 to $2.79.

"I commend District Attorney Griggers for his vigilance in protecting Alabama consumers," Alabama Attorney General Troy King said in a prepared statement.

"Our office is assisting the district attorney in this case. The attorney general's office remains vigilant and engaged statewide in this possible price gouging inquiry," King said.

I, too, favor penalties for those who charge unconscionable prices for gasoline and other goods. It just seems to me that those penalties should be imposed by consumers who choose to take their business elsewhere, not by self-important politicians in search of a campaign issue.

Yes, Alabama has a law against price-gouging, and yes, it is the Attorney General's job to enforce it; but, conservative Republicans have traditionally been among the biggest advocates of market-based solutions to this type of problem. There's a good case to be made that anti-gouging laws do more harm than good by inhibiting conservation and causing temporary shortages. That's why Troy King's enthusiasm to scapegoat gasoline suppliers and retailers is so disappointing. Let him enforce the law - that's his job. But, does he really have to enjoy it so much?