Wisconsin Candidates Debated Gas Markup Repeal
Sarah Godlewski and Tom Tiffany discussed repealing a state law that raises pump prices by 9 percent.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Inflation
Live Poll
Should the state repeal mandatory minimum markup laws for gasoline to lower pump prices?
Sarah Godlewski hosted a roundtable discussion at Pearl Street Books in La Crosse to address surging fuel costs. Both Godlewski and Tom Tiffany advocate for the repeal of the Wisconsin minimum markup law to provide relief to residents.
Why it matters
Rising gas prices, fueled by international conflict and tariffs, have strained Wisconsin households. Repealing the mandatory markup law is proposed as a direct measure to lower costs for drivers across the state.
The Wisconsin minimum markup law mandates that gas stations increase their floor prices by 9 percent. Repealing this regulation could result in savings of at least 40 cents per gallon for unleaded fuel and over 50 cents for diesel.
The players
Sarah Godlewski
She is a political candidate who hosted the discussion on fuel pricing in La Crosse.
Tom Tiffany
He is a political candidate who has voiced support for the elimination of the state minimum markup law.
The details
The roundtable focused on how current fuel pricing structures exacerbate the impact of global tensions, specifically the war with Iran. State law currently forces retailers to apply the 9 percent markup automatically, a policy both political candidates seek to remove.
Timeline
The war with Iran began in February 2026.
The roundtable event took place on September 22, 2026.
Macro View
The debate over the Wisconsin minimum markup law mirrors historical arguments regarding state-level intervention in retail fuel markets during inflationary periods. This movement to remove price floors follows similar patterns seen in other states that previously abandoned comparable markup mandates.
Repealing the 9 percent markup law would immediately lower prices at the pump by at least 40 cents per gallon for regular unleaded. This change would provide tangible relief for household budgets struggling with the sustained increase in fuel costs.
The takeaway
Legislative efforts to repeal mandatory price floors represent a specific strategy to combat state-level inflation. Drivers can track these potential policy changes to understand how future regulation might influence their monthly commuting costs.
Further reading
For more information on rising costs and policy interventions, see Inflation.
Live Poll
Should the state repeal mandatory minimum markup laws for gasoline to lower pump prices?
