SEATTLE -- Several service providers in Washington are now offering Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service. This new service allows consumers access to voice services using their Internet Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) connection, and no longer needs a dedicated telephone line to make phone calls. Many plans also provide long distance service at no charge.

SPOKANE – Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced settlements with two Spokane-based corporations accused of violating telemarketing and charity laws.

Seattle - Nov. 1, 2000 - A Lynnwood vacation club marketing firm that that has been the target of more than 150 consumer complaints will have to pay restitution, civil penalties and fees, according to a settlement announced today.

Seattle -October 10, 2000 - Washington consumers and businesses will recover $10.6 million in damages under a settlement in a global price fixing conspiracy case, Attorney General Christine Gregoire announced today.

The six settling companies are accused of illegally conspiring to raise the price of vitamins bought by consumers and on vitamin products used in the manufacture of many food products.

Seattle - June 7, 2001- The Attorney General's office is seeking applications from organizations that would use last year's $5.7 million settlement with vitamin companies for health and nutrition programs or to advance nutritional, dietary or agricultural science.

The money is Washington's share of the October settlement of a multistate lawsuit against six companies that were accused of illegally conspiring to raise the price of vitamins bought by consumers and the price of vitamin products used in the manufacture of many food products.

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.