Opinion: Why price gouging during disasters is illegal and unethical
Elizabeth Brake
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Kathy McClure grabs some bread on a near-empty shelf at Arlen s Market in Galveston on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. McClure has been out of power since Sunday morning.Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer
As a scholar who has researched disaster ethics, I know this is not uncommon in such circumstances. It follows a pattern: Disaster creates a scarcity of basic necessities; retailers and providers respond by sharply raising the price tags on sought-after commodities.
Then comes public outrage and claims of price gouging a practice deemed illegal in 36 U.S. states, including Texas, in times of disaster.
Kenneth S. Harris, 90, of Brownwood, TX passed away Monday morning, Dec. 7, 2020 at home following a brief illness.
His funeral services will be at Davis Morris Funeral Home in Brownwood. 10:00 am on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. Internment at East Lawn Cemetery, where he will be buried with US Border Patrol Honor Guard.
Born to Ross and Kathleen Harris of Centerline MI, in Base Line MI Dec. 3, 1930, the middle of three boys.
Ken joined the US Air Force after high school. He was stationed in Alamogordo, NM where he met and fell in love with Boby Gazaway , a beautiful 16 year old young lady. They married July 13, 1952 in the summer between her junior and senior year of high school. They were married 67 years this past July!