Kreidler mourns passing of Rep. Helen Sommers

Longtime Washington state Rep. Helen Sommers died yesterday in Florida. She served in the state House of Representatives for 36 years, representing the 36th District in Seattle.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler worked with Rep. Sommers during his tenure with the state House of Representatives. At one point, they were seatmates on the floor of the House.

“I am saddened by the passing of Helen Sommers," Kreidler said. "I served with her for eight years in the state House. She was a friend and someone who made government better.”

The Seattle Times wrote about Rep. Sommers long career. 

How to choosing the perfect pet?

How to choosing the perfect pet?

On the threshold of summer, there are many who dare to get sticking together of or contract considering a pet. However, caring for pets requires reaction and responsibility, hence it is certainly important to know our possibilities and needs of our additional "best friend". Therefore, the Apron Group, the largest operator of leisure centrum in Europe, has industrialized a Decalogue considering live tips for choosing a pet that best suits us. For both animals and their owners enjoy optional add-on applications.

How to choosing the perfect pet?

1.Choose according to your availability. Count the hours per daylight you have release and considered craves your pet. As noted Ajose Melina, veterinarian Palmettos Park, one of the wildlife reserves possessed by Apron, Gran Canarias, "a cat requires less commitment than a dog, permit alone the turtles, hamsters and budgies".

2.Choose the one that best signifies you, your pet schemes an image of yourself. Bend the one that best suits your personality and your presence. "The greatest gymnastic people looking for leave the residence plans tend to enjoy subsidiary of the canines, although the tranquil and self-governing people fit enlarged taking into account the duties of the pet,"

3.Measure your make public. Animal’s obsession a place to breathing that is as close as attainable to their natural ablaze. Make unadulterated your supplementary belt will have a area to nap, eat, discharge commitment ... So can ensue taking place healthy and glad, and you can enjoy it more.

4.Review your budget. Nourishing your animal or pet, your health care, your crib ... All this costs child support, which can change greatly depending concerning the animal. According to recent studies, the Spanish families spend an average of 1,500 euros a year upon their pets. Check out the prices previously deciding and avoid scares.

5.Think not quite your needs. Candelabra Gonzalez, veterinary Jungle Park, flora and fauna remoteness of Apron in Tenerife, "Every type of pet best meets specific needs. For example, dogs can designate security, or the pursuit of fish is ideal for relaxing the children”

6.Get advice. In Spain, six in ten households have at least one pet, totaling roughly 20 million pets. Surely some friend of yours consumes one ... Be counseled by their involvements and discover how easy it is to meet people thanks to pets.

7.Seek professional information. For more subsequent to or exact queries, dont overlook that veterinarians are the best concrete. Spain has roughly 4,700 centrum, and in bank account to 9,000 specialists in mammal fitness. They will pay for away you all best data you indispensable, and will monition as respectable pet lovers.

8.Learn from responsibilities. Patrice Bluto biologist Barcelona Aquarium, explanation that "a pet is an excellent lesson in responsibility, especially for the tiny ones". "It should make them comprehend that an animal is not a toy and care will need expenses," adds bulk.

9.Convince your vibes. It is much augmented if the connected intimates and links hug the subsidiary promoter taking into consideration adulation and observance. "Having a pet at dwelling unites parents and broods," declares Gloria Fernandez, marine zoo veterinarian Apron Mallorca- Marine house. Jordi Agile, Aqualon veterinarian, safari charity in Tarragona, adds that "promotes outfit proceedings and provides a common subject of expression." 80% of United State familial when dog or cat receive it is a source of comfort and studies uphold that even helps shorten emphasize.

10.Enjoy. Takes choosing a mascot following every single one the promptness that brings introduce a touch on friend in your lifetime. Bask each novel endeavor you dig happening not quite the cartoon of your pet or animal, dive into the world and attempt your best to be happy. According to Juan Salvador Silva, veterinarian Marine house Catalonia, "the same process to pick pet is informative and fun, not on your own as you learn a delightful goodwill along the habit, but because after choosing proficiently discover the joy you strengthening the animal".

The 10 cheapest cities to visit in United States

The 10 cheapest cities to visit in United States

The result takes into account the average cost of the cities, to which must be added the expense of reaching them. The rate of the hotels, taxi, dinners and cocktails or nightlife have also been taken into account in drawing up the ranking.

So, Las Vegas is the cheapest way to book a hotel room city, Minneapolis is the cheapest city to have a cocktail, dinner is cheaper in Atlanta and more advantageous when taking a taxi back to the hotel the price is in Denver. What will be the cheapest city?

The 10 cheapest cities to visit in United States

10. Denver (Colorado) - $ 366.38

The capital of the state of Colorado is the latest in this particular ranking. With just over half a million people, Denver is the second most populous city in the mountain states, behind Phoenix (Arizona). Denver has an extreme climate, reaching 40 degrees in the summer and -33 degrees in winter.

The cultural activity of Denver has a great relationship with the artists Bob Dylan, Judy Collins and The Fray, originating in this city. The city has numerous museums and churches, and also has the second largest performing arts center in the United States after the Lincoln Center in New York. For those who like the bars, the city has a very large number of breweries. And autumn is the must-attend event Great American Beer Festival, the show's most important beer country.

The 10 cheapest cities to visit in United States

9. Minneapolis (Minnesota) - $ 354.50

It is the northernmost city of which have made it into the ranking. Minneapolis is the most populous city in the state of Minnesota, although not its capital. It was named the most literate American city, with a large number of theaters and spaces for visual, literary and musical arts. It has a population of almost 400,000.

Minneapolis is the most important center between Chicago and Seattle business, but does not have a wide range of entertainment. The city is home to the Minnesota Twins, who play in the best ballpark in the US, Target Field.

The 10 cheapest cities to visit in United States

8. Philadelphia (PA) - $ 352.43

With a million and a half inhabitants, Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania. Headquarters of large companies, its proximity to New York has allowed to surface business options in the city.

Philadelphia was the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and Independence Hall is the most visited building in the city. In the town lived figures like Edgar Allan Poe and Benjamin Franklin. For movie buffs, the city offers plenty of locations known for films like 'Rocky' and 'Philadelphia', which were shot in the streets.

The 10 cheapest cities to visit in United States

7. Dallas (Texas) - $ 339.09

Dallas city within the state of Texas, is the third largest in the state. Notorious for being the place where the murder was committed to President John F. Kennedy on 22 November 1963. It is home to major companies, making it the Silicon Valley of Texas, as it is known in the United States.

Cultural proposals include the Dallas Museum of Art and the Meadows Museum, which houses a valuable collection of Spanish art from the middle Ages to the present. The city is known for authentic Mexican food and Tex-Mex food. It will not go wanting in Dallas, since it is a city with more restaurants per capita than New York.

The 10 cheapest cities to visit in United States

6. Houston (Texas) - $ 338.25

The largest city in Texas and the fourth in the United States. Multicultural city with a very large international community, 21.4% of the city's population was not born in the United States. It has the largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions in the world, as well as the control center of NASA, by which popularized the phrase "Houston, we have a problem '.

Houston has a rich and varied cultural offer as well as numerous entertainment centers, restaurants and sporting activities. In the city they are born artists like Beyoncé, Hilary Duff and Patrick Swayze. Houston has the most impressive skyline fourth US and one of the top ten in the world.

The 10 cheapest cities to visit in United States

5. New Orleans (Louisiana) - $ 323.36

The quintessential multicultural city in the southern United States, with significant influence of African, Latin, Spanish and French cultures. New Orleans has a population of just over 300,000.

New Orleans is known for her musical activity, however it is considered the birthplace of Jazz and the birthplace of trumpeter Louis Armstrong and rapper Lil Wayne. Its streets were also born writers Tennessee Williams or Anne Rice. Mardi Gras is the most popular festival, which takes place on Shrove Tuesday, which fills its streets with color. Also known its Jazz Festival, Jazz Fest, and the Sugar Bowl, which remain constantly active city.

The 10 cheapest cities to visit in United States

4. Orlando (Florida) - $ 322.99

Orlando is the sixth largest in Florida and the largest among non-coastal cities in the state city. City devoted almost entirely to tourism, for its wide range of leisure. It has one of the busiest airports in the world. The city is headquarters of major technology companies such as EA Games or IBM.

Orlando is not known for its museums, but for its amusement parks. The Walt Disney World Resort is in the city as well as the many amusement parks that are built with the theme of Disney. Universal Studios have a park in the city and the park dedicated to marine life, Sea World.

The 10 cheapest cities to visit in United States

3. Atlanta (Georgia) - $ 314.31

With half a million people, Atlanta is the longest in the state of Georgia and its capital city. It hosted the Olympics in 1996 and houses the headquarters of Coca-Cola, AT & T companies or Delta Air Lines. The city airport, Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest in the world.

Atlanta is considered one of the most important cities for the music industry, being home to major pop and rock bands. It has been described as the new Motown, and have lived in major city names in music like Elton John, Backstreet Boys, Kanye West and Usher. Apart from the music industry, Atlanta has the world's largest aquarium.

The 10 cheapest cities to visit in United States

2. Miami (Florida) - $ 311.29

The most important of Florida, with a population of 433 136 inhabitants. This popular tourist destination, is the southernmost city in the ranking. Regarded as the 'cleanest city in America "by Forbes magazine, for its extensive green spaces, the quality of its air and its various recycling programs. Popularly it is known as 'The Magic City'.

Miami has a tropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of musical offerings. The central areas of the city are open 24 hours a day and regularly see DJs first class in the city, as well as its known Winter Music Conference and Ultra Music Festival, making it the home of electronic music.

The 10 cheapest cities to visit in United States

1. Las Vegas (Nevada) - $ 276.03

Built in the desert, and popular for its casinos, Las Vegas is considered as 'Sin City', 'the global entertainment capital' or 'the capital of second chances'. Since 1989 he has been a steady expansion to Las Vegas Strip, which resulted in a drop in tourism in the downtown area.

Its hotels are the centers of major attractions, including inside casinos, luxury restaurants, theaters and even amusement parks. Each hotel allows visitors to enter freely and enjoy their offer without having to stay in their rooms. In recent years known artists perform permanently in the city, and singers like Celine Dion, Elton John, Britney Spears, Cher and Shania Twain have become important claims of the city. Cirque du Soleil has more than a dozen permanent shows in the city and the famous illusionist David Copperfield offers more than 500 performances a year at the MGM hotel.

OIC recovered $11.3 million for consumers in 2016

An OIC consumer advocate helps
a caller with an insurance question. 

A big part of what we do is to help protect consumers from financial harm.

In 2016, our consumer advocates:

• Fielded 7,195 consumer complaints and helped recover $11.3 million for consumers. 
• Answered 67,405 calls to our consumer hotline. 
• Responded to 5,449 written inquiries from consumers. 
• Responded to 1,676 consumers via our live-chat feature on our website, which started in March. 
• Mailed 1,905 insurance publications to consumers who requested them. 

Our consumer advocates can help you:

• Answer questions about home, auto, health, life, annuities, business and other insurance. 
• Understand your insurance rights, including your health insurance appeal rights and the process. 
• Look into complaints against insurance companies. 
• Find information about your insurance options. 
• Verify if an agent, agency, or company is authorized to sell insurance in Washington state. We share information of interest to insurance consumers on this blog and through our social media channels. Many of our blog posts are generated by questions we field from consumers.

More resources for consumers:

• Reach us by phone at 1-800-562-6900 or online. 
• File a complaint against an insurance company or agent. 
• Read more about consumer advocacy at OIC. 
• Read more about your insurance, including home, life, auto, health, annuities and business.

Distracted driving may cost you more in premiums, fines – even death

The Washington state Traffic Safety Commission released a report this week that revealed some somber statistics:

• Nearly 1 in 10 drivers in motion was distracted by something – 9.2 percent
• Most of the distractions were an electronic device – 6.9 percent
• The remainder were distracted by children, their radio, eating, or something else. 

The distraction rate increased by half in drivers who were stopped at an intersection – jumping to 14.2 percent.

That’s the kind of thing that can lead to higher insurance premiums and worse – death.

The report observed more than 22,000 drivers in 23 Washington counties during 2016. It’s the first report of its kind by the commission and will serve as a benchmark for future annual reports.

These numbers are important because distracted drivers cause collisions. The commission’s most recent collision report, from 2014, shows that distracted drivers crash every 12 minutes. Distraction was a factor in 40 percent of all collisions, the single most frequent contributing factor in all collisions that year.

Distracted driving was a factor in 123 fatal collisions.

The number of collisions in your region contribute to increased insurance premiums. If the number of collisions increases, your rates are likely to as well.

In Washington state, it is illegal to hold a phone or text while you drive, and it’s a violation for all new drivers to use a phone at all. The state Legislature is considering a bill that would broaden restrictions on using electronics devices and increase the fines for people who violate the law more than once. If adopted, it would take effect Jan. 1, 2018.

Related news:

• Insurance Bills Rise as Texters Crash Cars, Bloomberg Businessweek

• New survey: Distracted driving deaths up 32 percent; cell phone use a key factor, KOMO News