Court order ensures concertgoers who paid fee get money back with an additional $10
SEATTLE — Climate Pledge Arena will pay $477,917 in penalties and refunds as a result of Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s investigation into a hidden fee the arena charged thousands of Washingtonians.
From February 27, 2023, to July 22, 2023, Climate Pledge added a 3% fee to food and beverage purchases made at the arena. They did not disclose the fee in any way before customers made their purchase, in violation of Washington’s Consumer Protection Act. The Attorney General’s investigation revealed the company charged the fee on approximately 183,000 transactions over the course of 37 events, bringing in $162,917.16. The legally binding agreement is subject to court approval.
As a condition for resolving his case, Ferguson required that Climate Pledge:
Conclude a class action lawsuit resulting in full restitution to all Washington consumers who were harmed, to be administered through a claims process, subject to court approval;
Pay affected customers who file a claim an additional $10 for their inconvenience and loss of their money in addition to the full refund;
Pay $315,000 to the Attorney General’s Office to pay for the cost of bringing the case, future enforcement work and, if necessary, cover claimants’ additional $10 payment if the $162,917.16 is insufficient; and
Disclose all fees it charges customers in the future.
“Washington law is simple: If you charge a fee, you must clearly disclose that fee before someone pays it,” Ferguson said. “Climate Pledge was not doing that. Now they are paying the price. If you believe a company is charging hidden fees in Washington, contact my office.”
Ferguson opened his investigation following a KIRO news story about the fee. State law requires companies to clearly disclose all added fees and charges to Washingtonians before they charge them. Instead, the fee was not disclosed at the arena kiosks or in digital payments. Attendees only learned about the fee if they asked for a receipt for their transaction.
The arena stopped charging the fee following the KIRO story and the Attorney General’s Office confirmed the arena is not currently charging the fee. The court order ensures the arena does not charge any fees without appropriately informing people. If the arena does, the Attorney General’s Office can go to court for any violations.
Assistant Attorney General Dan Davies handled the case for Washington.
Honest Fees Initiative
Companies caught charging hidden fees have paid more than $9.6 million as a result of Ferguson’s Honest Fees Initiative.
Ferguson is calling on Washingtonians to check their bills, and, if they believe they contain hidden fees, to file a complaint at the Attorney General’s website here.
Follow these easy steps to check your bill:
Review your bill carefully for additional fees and taxes. Pay special attention to fees that appear to be government-imposed. Though they may appear to be, that may not be the case.
Compare your bill against the advertised purchase price. Is it different? Were fees added on without being disclosed to you when you signed up?
If you see a fee that was not included in the initial purchase price, or that you believe is deceptive, contact the Washington Attorney General’s Office at www.atg.wa.gov/file-complaint.
Ferguson took the first major action as part of the initiative in December 2019, when global technology company CenturyLink paid $6.1 million to the State of Washington for adding charges to customer bills without accurately disclosing those fees, and failing to provide discounts that their sales agents had promised customers. In July 2020, Frontier Communications Northwest paid $900,000 to Washington to resolve an Attorney General’s Office investigation that found Frontier did not adequately disclose fees when advertising and selling its products, and misled subscribers about internet speeds it could provide. Later in July 2020, Charter Communications paid nearly $1 million for failing to disclose its “Broadcast TV Surcharge” to customers who ordered the company’s services online. In March 2021, Bothell-based TV and broadband internet provider Wave paid $900,000 to more than 23,000 customers who ordered the company’s services online and more than $300,000 to the Attorney General’s Office.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
Climate Commitment Act dollars at work: $10 million investment supports new clean energy projects in tribal communities./WA COMMERCE DEPT.
Snohomish County: Blake Relief Day for Unconstitutional Drug Possession Convictions To Be Held October 4th.
Individuals with Washington State Blake-related drug possession convictions can apply for financial and record-clearing relief at the first Blake Drug Possession Relief Day at the Snohomish County Courthouse on October 4, 2024./WA COURTS
https://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/?fa=newsinfo.internetdetail&newsid=50496
New rulemaking aims to reduce “forever chemicals” in consumer products
Provide early input on Ecology’s preliminary draft rule/DOE
https://ecology.wa.gov/blog/september-2024/new-rule-will-reduce-pfas-exposure
Ecology proposes adopting federal human health criteria for water quality.
OLYMPIA –
The Washington Department of Ecology is proposing to adopt the federal water pollution limits intended to protect human health – formally adding the existing federal limits into state rules. This proposal would not change any of the human health criteria already in place for Washington./DOE
Fish and Wildlife Commission meets Sept. 26-28 in Spokane.
SPOKANE – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet in Spokane Sept. 26-28 for committee meetings; to discuss a Cooperative Management Agreement with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Coastal Dungeness crab policy, Grays Harbor salmon management policy, and chronic wasting disease (CWD); and to make decisions on rules related to red fox trapping and beaver relocation and a land transaction./WDFW
https://wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/news-release/fish-and-wildlife-commission-meets-sept-26-28-spokane
NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:
House Passes Kilmer’s Bipartisan Legislation to Honor Vietnam Veterans
Legislation to Award Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War with the Congressional Gold Medal Heads to President’s Desk to be Signed into Law/Press release issued 9.17.24
Kilmer Announces $13.5 Million Investment for Kitsap Transit to Purchase New Passenger Ferry
TACOMA, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded $13.5 million in federal funds to the Kitsap County Public Transportation Benefit Area Authority (Kitsap Transit) through the Fiscal Year 2024 Passenger Ferry Grant Program to support Kitsap Transit’s Kitsap Transit Fast Ferry Passenger-Only Vessel Replacement project. In June of this year, Rep. Kilmer wrote to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in support of the project./Press release issued 9.17/24
Murray, Dingell, and Moore Introduce the SAFE for Survivors Act to Provide Economic Security for Domestic Violence Survivors./press release issued 9.19/24
Chair Murray Praises Speedy Bipartisan Passage of Critical VA Funding Bill, Urges Same Bipartisan Approach to Fund Government/Press release issued 9.19.24
Bipartisan Cantwell Bill to Boost Tribal Law Enforcement Advances
As WA tribes combat MMIWP crisis and fentanyl trafficking, Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Parity Act would help them hire and retain tribal law enforcement officers/press release issued 9.18.24
Cantwell on Airport Cyberattacks: ‘Every Time We Witness These Technology Failures, Consumers Are the Ones Left Holding the Bag’
Cantwell on Airport Cyberattacks: ‘Every Time We Witness These Technology Failures, Consumers Are the Ones Left Holding the Bag’/press release issued 9.18.24
WORLD< NATION< BUSINESS
WORLD:
Failure to Implement Own Decisions Poses ‘Existential’ Question, Briefer Tells Security Council, as Delegates Urge Israel to Cease Illegal Settlements
The relentless expansion of Israeli settlements and escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are deeply alarming, the top United Nations official for the Middle East told the Security Council today, as delegates urged the organ to enforce its own demand for the occupier to cease such illegal activities./UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15826.doc.htm
‘Local Governments Will Remain Indispensable to Meet Challenges of Our Time’, Says Deputy Secretary-General, in Remarks to World Assembly/UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/dsgsm1932.doc.htm
General Assembly Overwhelmingly Adopts Historic Text Demanding Israel End Its Unlawful Presence, Policies in Occupied Palestinian Territory within One Year
Diverging on How Best to Resolve Crisis, Delegates Decide to Hold International Conference for Implementing UN Resolutions on Question of Palestine, Two-State Solution./UN PRESS RELEASE
https://press.un.org/en/2024/ga12626.doc.htm
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Afghanistan./USUN
"This continued regression toward misogynistic authoritarianism is deeply troubling, and it comes in the context of increasing poverty and a weak economy, as detailed in the Secretary-General’s recent report. The report notes that, Afghanistan’s longstanding economic and social problems have been exacerbated by the Taliban’s increasingly restrictive policies."
https://usun.usmission.gov/remarks-at-a-un-security-council-briefing-on-afghanistan-13/
Secretary Antony J. Blinken And French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné After Their Meeting./US STATE DEPT.
NATION:
Biden-Harris Administration Takes Further Action to Strengthen and Secure Critical Mineral Supply Chains./WH
Pentagon Degrades ISIS, Continues Efforts for Peace in Middle East./DOD
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3911839/
Oak Street Health Agrees to Pay $60M to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Liability for Paying Kickbacks to Insurance Agents in Medicare Advantage Patient Recruitment Scheme./DOJ
Biden-Harris Administration Awards Nearly $50 Million to Hispanic-Serving Institutions./DEPT of EDUCATION
HUD Announces More Than $15 Million to Prevent Youth Homelessness
Funding will support housing assistance for young Americans, formerly of foster care, who face homelessness./HUD
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_24_241
Biden-Harris Administration Delivers Nearly $17 Million from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to Clean Up Legacy Pollution on Tribal Lands
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments continue to help Tribes plug orphaned oil and gas wells, combat climate change, and protect natural resources./DEPT. of INTERIOR
BUSINESS:
Real Estate Executive Sentenced for Conspiracy to Falsify Financial Statements.DOJ
Treasury Targets Key Actors in Sanctions Evasion Scheme to Support Russia and North Korea./US TREASURY DEPT.
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2590
Statement by Governor Michelle W. Bowman
Governor Michelle W. Bowman./The Fed
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/bowman20240920a.htm
IRS warns of "mills" taking advantage of taxpayers with Offer in Compromise program./IRS
US Department of Labor inducted 9 labor unions into its Century of Service Honor Roll of American Labor Organizations./US LABOR DEPT.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20240918
IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS:
IN FOCUS: Nominations closing Friday for Washington’s Medals of Merit and Valor.
OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State is accepting nominations for Washington’s Medals of Merit and Valor through the September 20 deadline.
The Medal of Merit recognizes people who perform outstanding services for Washington and its residents. The Medal of Valor is awarded to anyone who has saved, or attempted to save, the life of another at the risk of their own safety and is not acting in the course of duty as a Washington police officer, firefighter, or other government-employed first responder.
“There is still time to nominate the hero in your life,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. “The Medals of Merit and Valor are the highest civilian honors awarded to the great people of our state.”
Recipients are chosen by state medal committees which consist of the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the state House of Representatives, and chief justice of the state Supreme Court. The Secretary of State serves as a nonvoting ex officio member and secretary of the committees.
Earlier this year, the Medals of Merit and Valor were awarded to the families of Dr. Abraham “Abe” Bergman and Donnie Chin for their service to Washington. This was the first time in nine years that either medal had been awarded.
Visit the Office of the Secretary of State website for nomination guidelines and forms. Recipients will be publicly announced after January 15, 2025, and a formal award ceremony will be held later in the year.
Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees areas within state government including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office operates the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, and administers the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees and the Productivity Board state employee suggestion program. The Office of the Secretary of State also oversees the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County Work session for 9.23.24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09232024-1297
Clallam County Commission meeting for 9.24.24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09242024-1298
Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 9.24.24
https://portofpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Packet-9-24-2024.pdf
Clallam County PUD meeting for 9.23.24
https://go.boarddocs.com/wa/clallampud/Board.nsf/Public
City of Sequim Council meeting for 9.23.24
https://sequimwa.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=123
City of Forks Council meeting for 9.23.24
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Agenda_20240924.pdf
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 9.23.24
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/120f46a2-39ee-4623-8457-cfe99aa9ceba
Port of Port Townsend Commission meeting for 9.25.24
https://portofpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-09-25-CommMtg-Agenda.pdf
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: 2 Corinthians 13:14 (New International Version)
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Weekly Bible Lesson:
Problems With the New World Translation
The New World Translation (NWT) of the Scriptures is a product of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, the publishing arm of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The New Testament portion of this translation appeared in 1950. The Old Testament was completed by 1960. A revised version of it came out in 1961.--TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/problems-with-the-new-world-translation
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Come and See
https://www.comeandseefoundation.org/
THIS WEEKS VIDEOS:
Why Globalists CANNOT Let Trump Win in November.
Americans are facing a tough reality that cannot be ignored: We currently do NOT have an operating president (or a vice president) in the White House. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are nothing more than puppets for the global machine. So no, the 2024 presidential election isn’t between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Rather, Trump is running against the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, the European Union, AND the Center for American Progress all combined. These globalists will do anything to ensure that nothing (and no one) gets in the way of their ultimate goal: the seizure of private property and the redistribution of wealth on a GLOBAL scale.
America’s sky-high inflation and insane levels of debt are just the beginning. In fact, on tonight’s "Glenn TV" Wednesday Exclusive, Glenn heads to the chalkboard to demonstrate how the Biden administration is fooling us all with talks of 2.5% inflation. The reality is much more terrifying, and it’s why Americans are still hurting at the gas pump and at the grocery store, no matter what the far Left claims. Later, Glenn previews an upcoming United Nations conference in New York City called "Summit of the Future," which will preview Bill Gates’ and other globalists’ newest goal: the seizure of 30% of the world’s land and oceans. Then, Glenn is joined in-studio by Heartland Institute senior fellow Justin Haskins, who explains how the U.N. is putting together its final pieces to "turn on the global government machine." But could there be a chance we turn ALL of this back around if Trump wins the White House? --Glenn Beck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LqqVdaOKK0
Mark Levin Audio Rewind - 9/20/24
On Friday’s Mark Levin Show, Rich Valdes, host of America At Night, fills in for Mark. The real threat to democracy is MAGA – It’s a threat to the domestic corruption in D.C. The deep state is threatened by MAGA. MAGA is a threat to gender norms. It’s a threat to continued wars and open borders. Donald Trump set the example for how you fight back against D.C. Trump figured out, that to change the government you must become the government.
Also, Kamala Harris can’t answer a simple question – how will you secure the border? Right now, she is overseeing the largest human smuggling operation at the border. She doesn’t take the border seriously, the border bill she wants would allow 5,000 illegals into America a day. Later, the canned responses we are hearing in the wake of the second assassination attempt are so nobody has to take accountability for the breach of security. This is where we are at with the leadership at the Secret Service and the current security of Trump which is appalling. Finally, Rich is joined by Tim Sheehy, Republican candidate for Senate in Montana, to discuss the challenge of running against incumbent Jon Tester and a barrage of negative media and about the consequences of the election on Americans.--Mark Levin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_njSEtZNz0
Sunday Worship Service 9/15/2024- Four Lakes C. of C.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaYFjqauxc8
Trump to Hold a Rally in Wilmington, NC on Jobs, Inflation, and the Economy - 9/21/24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sLUs5r1YCw
NIGHT OWL COMICS
https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
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