WHEREAS, there has been a significant increase in the cost of gasoline to consumers across the United States; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of the State of Missouri have had to pay higher gasoline prices than even the national average; and
WHEREAS, the outrageously high gas prices that the citizens and tourists of Missouri must pay for gasoline have caused our citizens to be suspicious of the cause for such high prices; and
WHEREAS, I have written President Clinton requesting that a federal investigation into the rise in the cost of gasoline in the Midwest be conducted; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Trade Commission has announced an investigation into the record high gas prices of the Midwestern States; and
WHEREAS, the act, use or employment by any person of any deception, fraud, false pretense, false promise, misrepresentation, unfair practice or the concealment, suppression, or omission of any material fact in connection with the sale or advertisement of any merchandise in trade or commerce, in or from the state of Missouri, is an unlawful practice pursuant to Chapter 407 RSMo; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 416 RSMo it is unlawful for any person to engage in trade or commerce in this state, in the course of such trade or commerce, to lease or make a sale or contract for sale of any commodity, whether patented or unpatented, for use, consumption, or resale within this state, or fix a price charged therefor, or discount from, or rebate upon, such price, on the condition, agreement, or understanding that the lessee or purchaser thereof shall not use or deal in the commodities of a competitor or competitors of the lessor or seller, where the effect of such lease, sale, or contract for such sale or such condition, agreement, or understanding may be to substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly in any line of trade or commerce in this state; and
WHEREAS, anyone who violates the provisions of Chapters 407 or 416 RSMo is subject to a variety of potential sanctions:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mel Carnahan, Governor of the State of Missouri, by virtue of the powers vested in me through the Constitution and laws of Missouri, do hereby establish the Gasoline Price Task Force to be led by the Attorney General of the State of Missouri and in addition to the Attorney General said task force shall consist of the Directors of the Departments of Agriculture, Economic Development and Natural Resources or their designees. The task force shall be staffed by the Office of the Attorney General.
Said task force shall meet and begin their investigation as soon as possible.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 31st day of January, 2000.
[Mel Carnahan's signature]
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
[Rebecca McDowell Cook's signature]
SECRETARY OF STATE
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