Politics & Government

Osten Hopes to Ban Price Gouging Before Hurricane Season

Consumers complained of price gauging on on goods and services after the the last three big storms in the area.

Most people try to look on the bright side but Connecticut State Sen. Cathy Osten is looking back on the hurricane’s and blizzards we have had and taking measures to help consumers in the future.  

Osten voted for a bill last week that will prevent price gouging of services related to storm recovery, according to a press release issued by her office.  

The release says, “Current state law already prohibits price gouging for goods like food and fuel; the new law extends these protections to services like snow and tree removal and roof repair.”  

The bill came as a result of consumer complaints of price gauging during Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy. The bill says that retailers and service providers can’t charge consumers an ‘unconscionably excessive price’ for any service or goods like tree removal, lodging or bottled water or batteries.  

The bill passed the Senate 31-51 and heads to the House of Representatives. 


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