PAYETTE COUNTY â If youâre one of the 670,000 Idahoans whose weekly entertainment includes playing the Idaho Lotteryâs Powerball game, keep reading. As a result of the defeat of House Bill 72, which would have amended Idaho Code 67-7408 to allow the lottery to maintain its agreement with the Multi-State Lottery Association to continue providing Powerball games in the state, the game is slated to be over in the state as of August. The bill was killed in committee by the State Affairs Committee before legislators had a chance to vote on it.
The lottery association recently approved licensing of Powerball in the United Kingdom and Australia. Presently, Idaho law only allows the lottery to offer games exclusive to the U.S. and Canada.
Idaho convenience stores make the case for Powerball
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI)-The Idaho Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association is urging the Idaho Legislature to rethink the House State Affairs Committee’s earlier decision to withdraw from the Powerball lottery game.
In an open letter, the association said the ticket sales are worth $14 million to Idahoans and millions more to small businesses in the state.
“Powerball is good for all Idahoans. Every year, it pumps millions of dollars into the state’s coffers, hundreds of thousands of Idahoans play it, many Idahoans win it, and it helps small businesses across the state,” said Idaho Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association President Matt Berry. “When you combine dividends, commissions, and earnings, Powerball means more than $1 million monthly for Idaho convenience stores. The thought of taking that money away from communities and local economies is frightening.”
Idaho Retailers Defeat Price-Gouging Claims convenience.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from convenience.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Idaho accused gas retailers of price gouging. Now they want a law to curb state s power John Sowell, The Idaho Statesman
Feb. 3 Idaho s three largest gasoline retailers agreed to provide $1.5 million in gas discounts this year, after Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden s office investigated the companies for gouging customers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Jacksons Food Stores, Maverik and Stinker Stores weren t investigated for increasing prices. Instead, they were accused of lowering prices at a slower pace than wholesale prices were falling as demand soured.
The retailers don t want the state to do that to them again. A trade association that represents gas stations and convenience stores is pushing for the change in state law to prevent it.
Records reveal how much Idaho dealers boosted margins on gas sales early in pandemic John Sowell, The Idaho Statesman
Jan. 7 Idaho gasoline retailers margins were relatively stable before the coronavirus pandemic hit and Attorney General Lawrence Wasden accused the state s three largest convenience store chains of gouging customers.
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Between 2006 and 2019, the difference between the price dealers paid for gas and the price they charged ranged between 2 and 15 cents a gallon. Known as markup or margin, the difference takes into account the 51 cents per gallon in state and federal taxes, along with delivery costs.
The margin was 10 cents in February. The arrival of the coronavirus pandemic in Idaho changed that. In March, when the Gem State saw its first Covid-19 diagnosis and Gov. Brad Little issued an emergency declaration, the margin shot up to 39 cents.