Wal-Mart Supports Higher Wisconsin Gas Tax

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business community said it would support increasing Wisconsin’s gas tax, but only if the state’s minimum markup law is repealed for gasoline purchases.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

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.