OLYMPIA – The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) this week dismissed a request by Avista Utilities to increase revenues by $28.9 million by raising electric rates for its Eastern Washington customers. The Public Counsel Section of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office objected to the request, which would have raised rates for residential customers by 9.7 percent. Rates for business customers also would have increased.

For many years, the state has decorated and displayed an evergreen tree in the Capitol rotunda, in celebration of the holiday season. On December 18, 2006, Governor Christine Gregoire held a menorah lighting ceremony in the rotunda, adding a menorah to the holiday display. In making her decision to add a menorah, the Governor did not consult with the Attorney General’s Office, but referred to the US Supreme Court case of Allegheny County v.

OLYMPIA — Attorney General Rob McKenna announced today that the state of Washington received $1.1 million from a $55.4 million national settlement reached with House of Prince A/S and Scandinavian Tobacco, S.I.A. to resolve a dispute over enforcement of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA), under which tobacco companies reimburse the states for the health care costs of tobacco-related diseases.

YAKIMA – Attorney General Rob McKenna today warned consumers that a software salesman for Brainstorm USA has contacted Spanish-speaking parents in the Yakima School District, fraudulently claiming to be associated with the district.

YAKIMA – El Procurador Rob McKenna advertio a consumidores hoy que hay un vendedor de programas(software) de Brainstorm USA que se ha communicado con padres que hablan Español en el Distrito Escolar de Yakima, reclamando fraudelentemente que son asociados con el distrito.

Attorney General Rob McKenna announced today that SONY BMG Music Entertainment has agreed to pay $316,000 to the state of Washington and nearly $4 million to 39 other states as part of a settlement. The company also agreed to provide refunds of up to $175 per individual consumer to resolve problems that arose when SONY BMG caused anti-copying software to be surreptitiously downloaded onto consumers’ computers by the simple act of playing a SONY BMG music CD.

SEATTLE – Attorney General Rob McKenna today warned consumers that a scam letter bearing the Mega Millions logo is being sent out to individuals in several states via standard mail. This letter notifies supposed winners of their unclaimed "Mega Millions" prize and also contains a counterfeit check.

OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna today unveiled his 2007 package of open government legislation, which includes three bills reforming the Public Records Act and a joint-request bill with Governor Chris Gregoire requiring government agencies to provide actual notice to property owners when the agency is considering condemning private property.

 OLYMPIA – Attorney General Rob McKenna today urged homeowners to check out contractors they hire to help repair their storm-damaged homes and remove fallen trees. A quick fix may end up costing homeowners much more than the job is worth – especially if the repairs aren’t done properly and they have to pay even more to hire another contractor.

SEATTLE – Attorney General Rob McKenna today announced a multi-state settlement in a lawsuit against YP Corp. and its subsidiary, Telco Billing, Inc. The businesses will pay more than $2 million to resolve allegations they deceptively marketed phone listings and advertisements on internet yellow pages. The money includes reimbursements for businesses and organizations in Washington and 33 other states that paid for online advertisements they did not want.