By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-952802.mp3
LANSING, MI –
The state House has voted to repeal the Michigan law that requires almost every item sold in a store to have a price tag attached to it. As we hear from Michigan Public Radio's Rick Pluta, opponents of the law say it's no longer necessary.
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Michigan is one of two states that still has a law requiring almost every item stocked in a store to carry a price tag. The law was enacted in the 1970s in the early days of price scanners to protect consumers from overcharges. But retailers say scanner technology has improved since then.
State Representative Lisa Posthuman Lyons says the law is an anachronism and repealing it the right thing to do.
"It simply brings Michigan into the 21st Century by allowing retailers to use the latest technology and make Michigan more competitive in attracting retail," she says.
But supporters of the item pricing law say it is still an important consumer protection.
The measure now goes to the state Senate. Governor Rick Snyder called for repealing the item pricing law last month in his State of the State address.