Meets with fellow AGs about prescription drug threat

Washington, D.C. – He knew something wasn’t right when he heard that actress Brittany Murphy died from “natural causes.”

“Usually, 32 year-olds don’t die of natural causes,” Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna has told parents and teens in recent weeks. “After hearing from so many parents who’ve lost kids in prescription drug-related deaths, I suspected the worst.”

Attorney General-sponsored bills survive the committee process with overwhelming support

OLYMPIA – Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna expressed his gratitude to state legislators today for allowing several AG-requested bills to be approved by key committees, setting the stage for final legislative approval.

SEATTLE – Arranging recall repairs is easier for Toyota owners. The company has agreed to provide free pickup and return of recalled cars, as well as free rental cars or taxi fare, for car owners across the nation.

More than 8 million Toyota and Lexus cars have been recalled due to concerns about the risk of acceleration issues and other problems.

Toyota is advising its dealers to address customer concerns on a case-by-case basis. Additional services are being provided to customers concerned about driving their vehicle before the repair is completed and may include:

OLYMPIA — Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna will speak to legislators on Wednesday about the urgency of passing a bill that attacks the child pornography industry. For the first time this session, he’ll personally appear at a public hearing for legislation that upgrades state law to better prosecute those who intentionally access images and videos of child molestations.

OLYMPIA -- Four of Attorney General Rob McKenna’s public safety and consumer protection bills will receive hearings this week.

PROTECTING VULNERABLE ADULTS

Attorney General McKenna announces $1.8 million in grants and direct consumer payments

SEATTLE – There’s no place like home. For families struggling to make their mortgage payments, as well hundreds who already lost their homes, Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna offered hope today: more than $1.8 million for local foreclosure prevention programs and cash for directly impacted consumers.

SEATTLE – One is seven U.S. homeowners is behind on his or her mortgage. Attorney General Rob McKenna will announce additional efforts to help prevent foreclosures in Washington and cash for hundreds of consumers who have already lost their homes. Joining him at a press conference Thursday in Seattle will be representatives from local nonprofit and legal programs working to assist homeowners.

WHAT: Foreclosure Prevention News Conference

WHEN: 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010

Consumer protection bills alive, too; property rights bills die without a hearing

OLYMPIA — Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna’s law enforcement bills have survived the first major hurdle of the 2010 legislative process.

OLYMPIA — A King County Superior Court judge today ruled the state does not provide ample funding for basic education then directed the Legislature to establish the cost of providing all Washington children with a basic education and establish how it will fully fund such education with stable and dependable state sources.

Office releases its Top 20 list of complaint categories

SEATTLE – Washington consumers filed more complaints about collection agencies with the Attorney General’s Office in 2009 than any other industry. Gripes about collection agencies have been rising in recent years but it took a single complaint to ultimately move the industry into pole position and bump telecommunications, which previously held the top spot for at least a decade.