By Attorney General Rob McKenna
Special to The Olympian for Sunshine Week

As a former King County Councilmember and now as the state’s Attorney General, I’ve encountered hundreds of hardworking and dedicated public servants who bring a passion for good government to work with them every day.

OLYMPIA…Attorney General Rob McKenna announced today much of his  2008 legislative agenda continues to survive the legislative session.

Identity Theft:
Bills giving ID theft victims more tools in the fight to clear their names are now one step close to the Governor’s signature.

OLYMPIA… Drastic cuts to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program funding by Congress have sparked concerns from attorneys general across all jurisdictions in the United States--including Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna.

Office releases its Top 20 list of complaint categories

OLYMPIA…The Senate Consumer Protection and Housing Committee this week will hear two consumer protection bills supported or requested by Attorney General Rob McKenna. In addition, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing to listen to testimony on an eminent domain bill requested by McKenna.

Highlights:

SPOKANE— The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit today filed six felony counts against a Spokane County woman claiming to have provided care services. 

Bonnie L. Olsen was charged today with one count of First Degree Theft and five counts of Medicaid False Statement. Olsen had submitted claims for providing care services to an individual from July through November 2006 even though the recipient was not residing with Olsen during this time period.

SEATTLE – The manufacturer of Silkies hosiery will pay $455,000 to settle a case with Washington and 14 other states regarding the company’s marketing and sales practices, Attorney General Rob McKenna announced today.

“Consumers who signed up to receive a free hosiery sample from HCI Direct experienced a snag when they were unknowingly enrolled in a plan to receive future shipments at a cost,” Assistant Attorney General Jack Zurlini said. “A free sample shouldn’t cost you anything.”

OLYMPIA…Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced that several of his legislative priorities have survived the Feb. 19 legislative cut-off for bills to pass from their house of origin.

Highlights:

Community Safety:
McKenna’s internet safety legislation to protect Washington children continues to make its way through the Legislature as does his proposed legislation to expand the state employees’ shared leave program to include victims of domestic violence.

Olympia – Attorney General Rob McKenna will visit several schools in Eastern Washington next week as part of the on-going schedule of school visits in his “Operation:  Allied Against Meth” campaign.

When: 
Thursday, February 21, 2008
• 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Toutle Lake High School
• 10:25 – 11:25 a.m. – Wahkiakum High School
• 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. – Kelso High School

OLYMPIA – The Legislature has scheduled public hearings for four measures requested or supported by Attorney General Rob McKenna on Wednesday and Thursday this week, including:

• Adding  victims of domestic violence to the state employee’s shared leave program;
• Protecting consumers from mortgage foreclosure scams;
• Keeping cell phone numbers private; and
• Requiring a police report to be filed in identity theft cases.