Ga. businessman sues state over gas price displays

SAVANNAH - A Savannah businessman is fighting the state's efforts to restrict him from advertising discounted gas prices on signs outside his service stations.

Greg Parker's lawsuit seeks to halt new rules in Georgia scheduled to take effect Monday.

The new rules would ban the display of reduced gasoline prices available through discount clubs.

Parker maintains in his lawsuit that state officials exceeded their power and violated his First Amendment right to truthfully advertise the discounted gas prices.

Georgia Agriculture Department spokesman Arty Schronce declined to comment on the lawsuit on the advice of attorneys. The agriculture department is involved in the regulation of how gas prices are advertised.

Parker and his corporation and partners operate 24 convenience stores in southeast Georgia and South Carolina.

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