Lawmaker moves to halt sales, lease of recalled toys

OLYMPIA – Already this year, 44 recalls of more than 20 million toys — all made in China — have frustrated conscientious parents and driven untold numbers of toddlers to tears and tantrums. While information about recalled products is widely available, nothing in state law prevents retailers from continuing to sell defective or dangerous items. more>>>

Berkey: Stronger defense for consumers in battle against identity theft

OLYMPIA – In a victory for better consumer protections against identity theft, Gov. Chris Gregoire today signed a bill to strengthen Washington’s two-year-old credit freeze law. more>>>

Berkey’s credit freeze legislation on way to governor’s desk

OLYMPIA – Legislation to improve the state’s two-year-old credit freeze law is only a signature away from becoming enacted after the Senate today unanimously concurred with House amendments to Senate Bill 5826. more>>>

Credit freeze legislation approved by House

OLYMPIA – A measure to give consumers another weapon in the escalating war on identity theft was unanimously approved by the state House on April 4th. more>>>

Penta, octa or deca? Doesn’t matter, says Regala; PBDEs are hazardous

OLYMPIA – Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, also known as PBDEs, are toxic flame retardant additives found in plastic products which reduce their fire risk. Sen. Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma, shepherded a bill that already passed in the state House of Representatives, to stop the flow of certain products that contain these flame retardants. more>>>

Senate votes to limit credit checks

OLYMPIA – Many Americans go through difficult financial times, such as a job layoff or divorce. Unfortunately, when those tough times result in a bad credit rating, the ramifications can last a lifetime. And when someone tries to improve their life and pull themselves out of debt, their prior problems can come back to haunt them. more>>>

Disclosing a potential toxic blast from the past

OLYMPIA –If a family is about to purchase a piece of property that poses – or has ever posed – an environmental or health concern, they should be notified before they sink their life savings into it, Sen. Karen Fraser, D-Thurston County, said today. more>>>

Improved credit freeze law is ‘an ounce of prevention'

OLYMPIA – Identity theft continues to be a serious problem in Washington, but the Senate today gave consumers another weapon for self-defense. more>>>

Weinstein home warranty bill wins Senate approval

OLYMPIA – The Senate today passed Senate Bill 5550, sponsored by Sen. Brian Weinstein, D-Mercer Island, to create a new home warranty for Washington homeowners. more>>>

Good builders need not fear bill of rights

Slip-sliding foundations, broken pipes, mold lurking beneath the surface of siding and the life savings of many families depleted in a matter of years. Am I describing scenes from the Tom Hanks movie "The Money Pit"? No. For many Washington homeowners, this nightmare is a reality. more>>>

Low cost liability insurance could give low-income individuals a break

OLYMPIA – In Washington, automobile drivers are required to carry standard liability insurance. Although drivers need this protection in case of a fender-bender or worse, many people don’t have automobile liability insurance simply because they can’t afford it. more>>>

Hobbs: Remove barriers to prosperity

OLYMPIA – Should past credit problems prevent you from landing that dream job? Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, doesn’t think so, and he’s introduced legislation to protect consumers from the use of credit checks in the interview process. more>>>

‘Big victory’ for homeowners in consumer protection committee

OLYMPIA – Today the Senate Consumer Protection & Housing Committee passed Senate Bill 5550, part of the Homeowners Bill of Rights that would create a standard warranty for new homes built in Washington. more>>>

Credit freeze: self-defense against identity thieves

OLYMPIA – The state’s credit freeze law is due for improvement, according to Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett, who authored the original legislation in 2005. more>>>

Credit freeze law should be improved

OLYMPIA – Two years after authoring the state’s credit freeze law, Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett, believes that more work remains to be done. As a result of meetings with AARP, business and the Attorney General’s Office, Berkey has introduced Senate Bill 5826 to improve upon current law. more>>>

Call waiting: new investments holding on line one

OLYMPIA – As states compete to attract new technology, two Washington state legislators are proposing an update of Washington’s communications laws to promote competition and investment. more>>>

Faulty home construction? Sorry homeowner, that’s your problem

OLYMPIA – Washington homeowners can sink thousands of dollars into repairing faulty construction, because contractors can escape liability for construction defects. Sen. Brian Weinstein, D-Mercer Island, is sponsoring a Homeowners’ Bill of Rights to give homeowners the legal recourse they deserve. The legislation will debut tomorrow at a hearing of the Senate Consumer Protection & Housing Committee, which Weinstein chairs. more>>>

Haugen looks to bring seniors relief from Island County power outages

OLYMPIA — Stormy weather can cause power outages across Washington but the hardship lasts even longer in Island County, whose residents are typically among the last to have their power restored due to the area’s small population and rural character. more>>>