10/3/05-Gov. Bill Richardson has offered up legislation that would allow the state to investigate and punish companies that engage in price gouging.
The Democratic governor is calling on state lawmakers to approve the measure during the special legislative session that kicks off Oct. 6.
The bill would prohibit price gouging during natural disasters or emergencies, such as hurricanes or terrorist attacks.
The rule would apply to goods and services deemed essential in an emergency, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, prescription drugs and bottled water.
Under the proposal, price gouging would be presumed if prices for essential goods and services increased 10 percent above what had been the average market price in the 10 days prior to the natural disaster or emergency.
Violators would face a fine up to $5,000, per occurrence.
Consumers in New Mexico who believe they may have been gouged at the pump should contact Richardson’s office at (505) 476-2200 or on the Internet at governor.state.nm.us under “e-mail the governor.” Consumers can also call the Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-678-1508.

9/12/05-Gov. Bill Richardson has rejected calls from some Republicans in the state to provide relief at the pumps by temporarily lifting fuel taxes in New Mexico.
Instead, the Democratic governor said he might call a special session of the Legislature if a governor-appointed task force finds significant evidence of fuel price gouging in the state.
Sen. Joe Carraro, R-Albuquerque, recently suggested the fuel tax holiday idea.
Carraro told the Santa Fe New Mexican revenue lost by giving consumers a price break could be offset by dipping into the state’s surplus, caused in part by levies on oil and fuel producers.
Richardson said the state needs more than just “a piecemeal approach” to deal with New Mexico’s rising fuel costs in the aftermath of the Gulf Coast storm.
Apart from looking at potential gouging, the nine-member group will be charged with coming up with a law to stop it, which Richardson has said he would endorse in the regular legislative session that begins in January at the latest.
Consumers in New Mexico who believe they may have been gouged at the pump should contact Richardson’s office at (505) 476-2200 or on the Internet at governor.state.nm.us under “e-mail the governor.” Consumers can also call the Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-678-1508.