Fighting back against corporate price gouging in Tennessee: Sen. Oliver, Rep. Behn explore ideas with DOJ antitrust attorney Jonathan Kanter

Forum on ‘Corporate Power and Price Gouging’ with U.S. Assistant Attorney General will take place Friday, Sept. 20 in Nashville

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Sen. Charlane Oliver and Rep. Aftyn Behn will lead a public discussion in Nashville on Sept. 20 to explore ideas for confronting price gouging in Tennessee. Their roundtable event will feature Jonathan Kanter, the Assistant Attorney General for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division who works across the nation to ensure fair play and fair prices in American markets.

The event, titled “Corporate Power and Price Gouging in Tennessee,” will take place at First Baptist Church on Capitol Hill, at 625 Rosa Parks Blvd, Nashville, Tenn. The Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle Tennessee will host the event.

Kanter, a leading expert in antitrust enforcement, will share insights from his work tackling corporate power and holding price gougers accountable. The discussion will focus on how government, consumer advocacy groups and unions can partner to curb corporate abuses, protect workers and ensure fair practices in critical sectors such as groceries, agriculture, and healthcare.

Sen. Oliver and Rep. Behn are leading this event at a time when Tennesseans are grappling with the second highest rate of inflation in the country. Local stakeholders who are impacted by high prices will also share their experiences at this public forum.

“This is about finding new, creative ways to cut costs for working families,” said Sen. Oliver. “Tennessee families are facing some of the highest inflation in the country. We can’t just stand by and let corporate greed drive up prices. We need action, and that means holding these businesses accountable when they engage in anti-competitive practices.”

“With a grocery store executive recently admitting that their company gouged shoppers on select items above inflation, it’s clear we need accountability measures to address corporate greed and protect working families from undue financial strain, especially in Tennessee where families are the hardest hit,” Rep. Behn added.

Both Oliver and Behn have been committed to addressing the rising cost of living in Tennessee, having introduced legislation to eliminate the state’s sales tax on groceries.

This summer, the duo of Nashville lawmakers called on Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti to join a bipartisan group of attorneys general working together to ensure fair competition in the agriculture and grocery sectors.

WHAT: Corporate Power and Price Gouging Roundtable
WHO: U.S. Justice Department Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, Sen. Charlane Oliver, Rep. Aftyn Behn, Central Labor Council
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 20 from 11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m.
WHERE: First Baptist Church at 625 Rosa Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN