Three months after Hurricane Charley ripped through Florida, some people are still waiting for temporary housing. CNN reports that while as many as 600 people have been placed in mobile homes, there is a demand for another 500 units. This prompted Democrat Senator Bill Nelson to wax rhetorically:

"The question that has to be asked, 90 days after the hurricane, is why are we only able to supply travel trailers and mobile homes to half the people who need them?" Nelson said.

So, here you have a demand that isn't being adequately met by supply. Why do you suppose that is?

Well Florida has laws to combat something they call "price gouging". No, they aren't going after the $8 hot dogs and $3 bottles of water at Disney World. But they are filing lawsuits to keep companies from making a profit from the Hurricane. Maybe Senator Nelson should ask Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist why he thinks out of state suppliers are reluctant to sell their much needed goods in Florida.

Related articles:
The case for price gouging II - 09/15/2004
The case for price gouging - 08/18/2004
Today's lesson: Price Gouging - 03/25/2004