Reps. McDowell, Alma Smith, Condino, Bieda, Espinoza, Gleason, Leland, Donigan, Meisner, Angerer, Byrnes, Spade, Polidori, Gonzales, Miller, Bennett, Gillard, Cushingberry, Sheltrown, Sak, Farrah, Anderson, Williams, Byrum, McConico, Brown, Adamini, Clack, Kathleen Law, Hood, Tobocman, Hunter, Accavitti, Hopgood, Lipsey, Kolb, Murphy, Waters, Zelenko, Vagnozzi, Wojno, Dillon, Cheeks, Brandenburg, Garfield, Lemmons, III, Lemmons, Jr., Mayes, Plakas and Stahl offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 257.

            A resolution to urge Michigan's Attorney General to conduct an investigation to determine if oil companies are violating the state's antitrust statutes.

            Whereas, The steady rise in gasoline prices is taking a significant toll on families and businesses across our state and the entire country. While there are clearly many factors involved in the cost of such a vitally important commodity, the accompanying rise in oil company profits to staggering levels has aroused the ire and suspicions of many people; and

            Whereas, As American consumers confront the challenges of absorbing ever-rising costs for gasoline, it seems that this cost is not being shared fairly when oil companies reap massive financial benefits at the same time. Over the years, expressed concerns over mega mergers in the oil industry have seemingly been ignored. The result is fewer and fewer, larger and larger corporations; and

            Whereas, The public has every right to expect that the markets that determine prices are fair and not being unfairly swayed. Record corporate profits in the face of a worldwide challenge do not seem to reflect the sense of fairness that the American people believe in and rely upon as we make decisions for our businesses and our families. Every effort must be made to ensure that antitrust measures in state law are not being violated; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge Michigan's Attorney General to conduct an investigation to determine if oil companies are violating the state's antitrust statutes; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Office of the Michigan Attorney General.