Costco's $14M settlement may mean cash for Washington shoppers The proposed $14 million class action settlement between Costco and Washington state consumers could result in cash payments for shoppers who received specific promotional emails over the past five years. The agreement, which requires final court approval, aims to resolve allegations that Costco sent misleading email subject lines to create false urgency about limited-time offers. The lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court in 2025, alleged that Costco violated Washington's Commercial Electronic Mail Act and Consumer Protection Act by using deceptive subject lines in promotional emails. Examples included lines like "Today is the last day to access Member-Only Saving" and "Hot Buys available for 5 Days Only," which plaintiffs claimed were misleading because some promotions extended beyond the stated deadlines. Costco denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid prolonged litigation. Both parties reviewed Costco's email practices during mediation in March 2026, leading to the settlement. Eligibility for payments extends to Washington residents who received qualifying commercial emails from Costco or its affiliates between June 2, 2021, and July 7, 2026. Class members do not need to provide proof of purchase or additional documentation to claim their share. Payments will be distributed on a pro rata basis from the settlement fund, with the final amount depending on the number of valid claims and court-approved deductions. Consumers can file claims online or by mail through the settlement website. Those who received a notice will use the Claim ID and PIN provided, while others can complete and submit a printable form. All claims must be submitted by August 24, 2026, either online or via postmark.#costco #washington_state #commercial_electronic_mail_act #king_county_superior_court #consumer_protection_act
Steyer has wrong fix for California’s Prop 13. Here’s a better way California’s fiscal challenges stem from Proposition 13, a 1978 law that caps property tax revenues by freezing valuations at 1970s levels and limiting annual growth to 2% (until sale or new construction). While billionaire gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer has correctly identified Prop 13 as the root of the state’s funding crisis, his proposed solution—reviving a “split roll” property tax reform—fails to address the core inequities of the system. Instead, it shifts the tax burden onto commercial properties while leaving the outdated, regressive structure of Prop 13 intact. Prop 13’s artificial restrictions on property valuations have created a distorted tax landscape. New property owners often pay significantly higher taxes than long-time residents for identical homes, as valuations remain frozen at purchase dates. This system disproportionately benefits established homeowners while burdening younger families and new buyers. A 2016 Legislative Analyst’s Office report highlighted how these disparities penalize mobility, rewarding those who hold property for decades while shifting costs onto newcomers. The law’s impact extends beyond individual households. It distorts urban development by severing the link between public investments and land value capture. When cities spend public funds on infrastructure like transit lines or schools, surrounding land values rise. In a fair system, this appreciation would generate additional tax revenue to fund future projects. Under Prop 13, however, the untaxed windfall of skyrocketing land values is captured by private landowners, who then charge high rents on their tax-sheltered properties.#tom_steyer #prop_13 #legislative_analyst_office #washington_state #massachusetts
