Richmond, VA – Yesterday, House Democratic Leader Eileen Filler-Corn called upon Governor Youngkin to issue an executive order declaring a state of emergency to activate the Virginia Post-Disaster Anti-Price Gouging Act and provide the Attorney General with powerful tools to protect Virginians from "unconscionable" prices at the pump.

See below what Virginians are watching and reading about it:

ABC 8: Youngkin won’t declare emergency to trigger gas price gouging protections

By, Jackie DeFusco

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Governor Glenn Youngkin is dismissing calls from Democrats to declare a state of emergency to protect Virginians from unreasonable hikes in gas prices. 

House Democratic Leader Eileen Filler-Corn said this would activate the Virginia Post-Disaster Anti-Price Gouging Act.

This would give Attorney General Jason Miyares more tools to protect consumers from “unconscionable” prices at the pump.  Miyares’ office confirmed to 8News earlier this week that he couldn’t exercise these powers without an executive order from Youngkin. 

Fox 5:

Associated Press: Democrats call on Virginia governor to act on gas prices

RICHMOND, Va. — Democratic leaders in Virginia are calling on Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin to declare a state of emergency to activate the state's anti-price gouging law as gas prices reach record highs following Russian's invasion of Ukraine.

"Governor Youngkin has the power to act and help protect Virginians at the pump, but so far, has failed to do so. Instead, he continues to point fingers and waste precious time,” House Minority Leader Eileen Filler-Corn said in a statement Thursday.

The emergency declaration would activate the Virginia Post-Disaster Anti-Price Gouging Act, which is designed to stop suppliers from charging an “unconscionable price” for necessary goods and services, including gas and home heating fuel. The law gives the state attorney general the authority to investigate and prosecute businesses that overcharge.

NBC 25:

The Washington Post: Rising gas prices pump up discord in Richmond as Democrats call for declaration of emergency

By, Gregory Schneider

RICHMOND — Gas price wars hit the Virginia General Assembly this week, with Democrats calling on Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) to declare an emergency to fight gouging at the pump and Republicans saying “I told you so” over a failed tax-cut proposal.

House Minority Leader Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax) demanded Thursday that Youngkin issue an executive order declaring a state of emergency over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which would activate a state law prohibiting price-gouging in times of disaster.

[...]

Filler-Corn pointed out that Youngkin’s predecessor, Gov. Ralph Northam (D), had declared such an emergency last year when Russian hackers disabled the Colonial Pipeline, causing a disruption in gasoline supplies. That enabled the state’s then-attorney general, Mark R. Herring (D), to prosecute unscrupulous retailers for price-gouging, leading to small fines against a few stations.

“Governor Youngkin has the power to act and help protect Virginians at the pump, but so far, has failed to do so,” Filler-Corn said in a news release.

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