OLYMPIA - January 9, 2002- Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire informed the state Supreme Court today that legislative leaders have agreed to take action to implement the state's new redistricting plan.

The Redistricting Commission adopted a legislative redistricting plan on Dec. 16, 2001, and a congressional plan on Jan. 1, 2002. Both plans were adopted after a statutory deadline, but within the state constitutional deadline of Jan. 1.

The Commission passed a resolution asking Gregoire to take action to assure implementation of the plan.

SEATTLE – As new legislation goes into effect this month requiring Washington retailers to inform consumers about video game ratings, Attorney General Rob McKenna and State Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle, are warning consumers about the availability of violent and sexually explicit content.

OLYMPIA - The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) on Thursday will consider whether telecommunications company Verizon will be allowed to raise residential and business rates by $28 million a year without first justifying the increase in formal rate setting hearings.

In papers filed with the commission last month, the Public Counsel Section of the Washington Attorney General's Office opposed the proposed rate hike, which was included in the settlement of a case involving Verizon and long-distance carriers AT&T and WorldCom.

Olympia - September 7, 2001- Attorney General Christine Gregoire today urged the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) to oppose Qwest's bid to offer long-distance telephone service in Washington.

In papers filed by the Public Counsel Section of the Attorney General's office, state attorneys allege that Qwest has not opened itself to meaningful competition that would provide consumers with a greater selection of local phone service providers - and possibly lower rates.

OLYMPIA - State officials are urging telephone customers served by Verizon to keep an eye out for an important notice explaining that they must act quickly to protect the privacy of their telephone calling information.

Verizon, a local telephone company serving about 1 million customers statewide, is issuing "opt out" notices that let customers know that their personal and private calling information will be used to market other services unless customers say otherwise.

SEATTLE -April 1, 1999- A travel club that promised spectacular savings that never materialized for the many Vancouver and Portland residents who purchased memberships has been sued by the Attorney General's Office.

"Consumers were promised savings of up to 50% on travel if they purchased a club membership," said Attorney General Christine Gregoire. "People paid between $2,000 and $5,000 just to be able to purchase discounted travel. That's more money than most people ever spend on a summer vacation."

Olympia -- Attorney General Christine Gregoire today opposed Qwest's request to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) to deregulate rates for its business customers.

In testimony filed with the WUTC, attorneys for the Public Counsel Section of the Attorney General's Office argued that deregulation would harm the company's small and medium-sized business customers because Qwest continues to dominate the local telecommunications market in Washington State.

Spokane - June 28, 2001 - Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire today sued members of an Eastern Washington vacuum cleaner sales ring for using unfair and high-pressure sales tactics on vulnerable elderly citizens.

"These defendants preyed on vulnerable people and in some cases held them virtual hostages in their own homes," Gregoire said. "This is one of the most disturbing examples of illegal sales tactics that my office has seen."

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